A new deepfake investment scam has emerged on the internet, misusing prominent Indian figures like Asia's richest person, Mukesh Ambani, and former captain of the Indian national cricket team, Virat Kohli. These deepfake scam videos falsely depict the billionaire and cricket star endorsing betting apps, leading unsuspecting viewers into potential scams. Using advanced deepfake techniques, the video manipulates their appearances and voices to make it seem like they are endorsing the app. This deceptive tactic exploits the trust and influence these figures hold.

The Strange Case of Deepfake Scams

This deepfake investment scam also targets well-known TV journalists, manipulating footage to create a false impression of authenticity. These altered videos imply endorsements from reputable sources, exploiting public trust for illicit gains. In the video, which is widely being circulated online, Ambani is falsely quoted as saying, “Our honest app has already helped thousands of people in India earn money. There is a 95% chance of winning here.” https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2401849440205008 Meanwhile, Kohli is shown endorsing the app, stating, "Aviator is an investment game where you can make huge profits. For example, if you have 500 Rupees, that will be enough because when the airplane flies your stake will automatically multiply by the number that the airplane reaches. Your investment can multiply 10 times. I personally recommended this app.” Both individuals seem to be discussing the game and promising high returns, claiming minimal investments can lead to significant profits. Such false promises prey on the aspirations of viewers seeking easy financial gains, ultimately leading to financial losses for many who fall victim to these deepfake investment scams. The Cyber Express has investigated these Aviator game scams and found out most of these apps have been banned on platforms like Google Play Store and Apple App Store due to their deceptive practices. Despite this, scammers continue to circulate these apps through alternate channels, using deepfake investment scams to lend a spirit of legitimacy.

The Aviator Game Scams Leveraging Deepfake Technology 

Similar incidents involving other public figures have also come to light, including cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Fake videos were created to deceive the public, and Tendulkar himself spoke out against such misuse of technology. In one deepfake video, Tendulkar is depicted talking about his daughter Sara playing a particular game, falsely quoting him as saying, “I am surprised how easy it is to earn well these days." [caption id="attachment_78100" align="alignnone" width="720"] Sachin Tendulkar Deepfake Scam (Source: X)[/caption] Following this, Sachin Tendulkar himself posted a tweet explaining the deepfake investment scam behind the deepfake videos. Tendulkar tweeted, “These videos are fake. It is disturbing to see rampant misuse of technology. Request everyone to report videos, ads & apps like these in large numbers. Social Media platforms need to be alert and responsive to complaints. Swift action from their end is crucial to stopping the spread of misinformation and deepfakes.” Previously, the Indian media company The Quint decoded another instance of deepfake videos involving Mukesh Ambani's son, Anant Ambani, and Virat Kohli promoting gaming apps in viral clips circulating on social media. Concerns arose about Ambani's video due to discrepancies in lip-sync and mechanical movements, suggesting a potential deepfake. [caption id="attachment_78102" align="alignnone" width="720"] Anant Ambani Deepfake (Source: The Quint)[/caption] Investigation revealed the original context of Ambani's video related to an animal rescue program launch. Similarly, Kohli's video was traced back to a different context involving discussions on religious harmony, debunking claims of both videos promoting gaming applications as false. In all the cases combined, a single app that was heavily promoted by social media pages and deepfake videos was the Aviator game. Aviator, an online casino game developed by Spribe, has become the most controversial game on the internet. The game’s unique, “easy to make money” has been tried and tested to be too good to be true. Inside the game, players engage by flying planes to earn money, influencing outcomes through their actions—a unique feature in online gaming. The game includes bonus rounds and mini-games, accessible on desktop, mobile, and tablet platforms to reach a broad audience. However, despite its popularity, the Aviator game has garnered notoriety for its misleading promises and unfair practices. Users have reported massive financial losses after investing in what turned out to be a fraudulent scheme. Reviews and user experiences highlight consistent patterns of manipulation and rigged outcomes designed to benefit the operators at the expense of trusting players. To top it all off, these fake deepfake videos of celebrities endorsing the app adds more questions about the authenticity of the app and the intent behind this aggressive marketing strategy.  The proliferation of deepfake videos exploiting the reputations of public figures like Mukesh Ambani and Virat Kohli highlights the urgent need for stringent measures against digital deception. As consumers, vigilance and skepticism are essential in understanding an increasingly complex technological era with potential scams and misinformation.