Sudha Murty warns public against deepfake videos misusing her image for scams

Rajya Sabha member, author and philanthropist Sudha Murty on Wednesday cautioned the public against deepfake videos circulating on social media that falsely use her image and voice to promote fraudulent financial schemes and investment offers .

Murty said the videos, created without her knowledge or consent using artificial intelligence , are being circulated on platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp , urging people not to take any financial decisions based on such content.

“I want to alert you to fake videos circulating online that falsely use my image and voice to promote financial schemes and investments. These are deepfakes created without my knowledge or consent,” Murty said in a video message posted on social media platform X.

Murty, who is also the chairperson of the Murty Trust, said she never speaks about investments or money-related matters , and expressed concern over fake videos claiming she was promoting investments of USD 200 or Rs 20,000 with promises of unusually high returns .

She said several people have already suffered financial losses after believing such videos, adding that complaints have been received and cybercrime authorities have been alerted .

Murty said the matter has been reported to social media platforms for takedown , and in some cases FIRs have been registered and investigations initiated into cheating and cyber fraud.

Urging people to verify information only through official and authenticated channels , she said her verified social media handles are the only genuine sources of her statements.

“With folded hands, I request all viewers not to believe any financial transaction or investment advice attributed to me. It is fake news,” she said.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to impersonate public figures and lure people into financial scams.