In recent years, cybercrime in India has witnessed a sharp rise due to advanced technologies like AI-generated deepfakes and phishing attacks. Fraudsters are now combining these two dangerous methods to trick individuals and businesses. From fake job offers to impersonation of CEOs for financial fraud, deepfake phishing scams are becoming a serious threat in India.
This blog explains what deepfake phishing scams are, the latest cybercrime trends, how to stay safe, legal sections under the IT Act 2000 & IPC, and where to seek help if you become a victim.
What is a Deepfake Phishing Scam?
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Deepfake: AI-generated videos, voices, or images that imitate real people.
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Phishing: Fraudulent emails, messages, or calls designed to steal sensitive information like passwords, bank details, or OTPs.
When combined, cybercriminals create fake audio/video of trusted people (like bosses, friends, or government officials) to trick victims into transferring money, sharing data, or clicking malicious links.
Latest Cybercrime Trends in India (2025)
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AI-Powered Deepfake Calls – Fraudsters mimicking the voice of relatives asking for urgent money.
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Corporate Email Scams – Fake CEO deepfake videos/emails ordering employees to release funds.
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Social Media Frauds – Deepfake celebrity endorsements tricking users into crypto or investment scams.
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Job & Loan Phishing – Fake offers using deepfake recruiter profiles to extract documents and fees.
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Romance & Sextortion Scams – Misuse of deepfake images to blackmail individuals.
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Crypto Fraud & USDT P2P Cases – Money laundering disguised as investment via phishing links.
Cybercrime Laws in India (IT Act 2000 & IPC)
Victims of deepfake phishing scams are protected under the following provisions:
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IT Act, 2000
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Section 43 – Penalty for unauthorized access to computer systems.
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Section 66C – Identity theft.
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Section 66D – Cheating by impersonation using computer resources.
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Section 67 & 67A – Publishing or transmitting obscene content (including deepfake misuse).
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IPC (Indian Penal Code)
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Section 420 – Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
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Section 468 – Forgery for cheating.
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Section 500 – Defamation through deepfake misuse.
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Safety Tips to Avoid Deepfake Phishing Scams
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Verify Calls & Videos – Do not trust urgent money requests; confirm identity through a second channel.
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Check for Manipulation – Look for unusual lip-sync, background noise, or irregular eye movements in videos.
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Don’t Share OTPs & Passwords – Banks and officials never ask for these.
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Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Adds extra security to accounts.
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Be Cautious with Links – Avoid clicking on suspicious email/SMS links.
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Corporate Precautions – Train employees to identify phishing attempts, especially in finance teams.
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Update Security Software – Keep antivirus and firewalls updated.
How to File a Complaint in India
If you are a victim of a deepfake phishing scam:
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Report at the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
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Call the Cyber Helpline Number – 1930 for financial frauds.
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Lodge an FIR at your nearest Cyber Police Station.
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Preserve evidence – screenshots, call recordings, transaction IDs.
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Consult a cybercrime lawyer for legal remedies and recovery of money/data.
Deepfake phishing scams represent the next generation of cybercrime in India. With AI technology advancing rapidly, individuals and businesses must remain alert, adopt cybersecurity best practices, and know their legal rights under the IT Act 2000 and IPC. Early reporting and legal support are key to minimizing financial and reputational losses.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and awareness purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, professional consultation, or solicitation. Victims of cybercrime should immediately report the matter to the official cybercrime helpline (1930), cybercrime.gov.in.