Case Study: Kerala's First Deepfake Fraud

In July 2022, Kerala witnessed its first reported deepfake fraud case. A 73-year-old man, Radhakrishnan, fell victim to a sophisticated deepfake scam that resulted in the loss of Rs. 40,000.

The Scam

The victim, a 73-year-old man named Radhakrishnan, received a WhatsApp call from someone who appeared to be his former colleague, Venu Kumar. The caller, using deepfake technology, perfectly mimicked Venu Kumar's voice and appearance. The caller asked Radhakrishnan for a loan of ₹40,000, claiming that he was in urgent need of money. Believing that the caller was indeed his former colleague, Radhakrishnan transferred the money without hesitation.

The Investigation

After realizing that he had been scammed, Radhakrishnan filed a police complaint. The police investigation revealed that the deepfake call was made by a fraudster using sophisticated AI software. The fraudster had obtained personal information about Radhakrishnan, including his friendship with Venu Kumar, through social media.

The Outcome

The police were able to track the money to an account in Maharashtra and are currently investigating the case. The Kerala police have also issued a warning about the potential for deepfake scams and have advised people to be cautious when receiving unexpected calls or messages.

Impact

The deepfake scam in Kerala highlights the potential dangers of deepfake technology. Deepfakes can be used to deceive people into believing things that are not true, and they can be used to commit fraud or other crimes.

Lessons Learned

The Kerala deepfake scam serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant when using technology. People should be careful about the information they share online and should be cautious about the people they interact with online.

Recommendations

Here are some recommendations to help people protect themselves from deepfake scams:

• Be aware of deepfake technology: Learn about how deepfakes are created and how they can be used to deceive people.

• Be critical of information online: Don't believe everything you see or hear online. Question the authenticity of information and be wary of information that seems too good to be true.

• Be careful about the information you share online: Don't share personal information online with people you don't know.

• Report suspicious activity: If you think you have been the victim of a deepfake scam, report it to the authorities.

Conclusion

Deepfake technology is a powerful tool that can be used for good or for evil. It is important to be aware of the potential dangers of deepfakes and to take steps to protect yourself from being deceived.