Deepfake Fraud 2025: When Scammers Look and Sound Like Someone You Trust

Imagine getting a call from an unknown number. You pick up the call, and it's your son or daughter on the other side, frantically telling you that they are in urgent need of money. They ask you to share an OTP received on your phone, and without a second thought, you share the OTP. The next thing you know, every penny in your bank account has been cleared out.

In 2025, this is the reality of deepfake fraud, where scammers are using AI’s “deep learning” capabilities to “fake” the voice or face of your loved ones to commit financial fraud. Read this blog to understand how deepfake frauds are committed through real-life examples and know how to protect yourself from deepfake fraud.

What is Deepfake and How is It Used in Financial Frauds

A deepfake is a forged or synthetic media, such as someone’s image, video or even voice. It is created with the help of advanced artificial intelligence to impersonate an individual’s appearance or voice. Scammers use advanced AI to swap faces or modify speeches to impersonate an individual’s identity and deceive their loved ones into sharing confidential information, such as One-Time Passwords, ATM pins, credit card CVV numbers, and more.

How Deepfake is Used to Commit Loan Frauds

In 2025, malicious deepfake technology is increasingly used to commit loan fraud by impersonating potential borrowers and even lenders.

Below are some of the most identifiable methods that scammers are using to commit deepfake loan fraud in 2025:

Fake Video KYC: Scammers can impersonate you on video KYC with lenders using deepfake technology to get loan approvals in your name.

Impersonating Loan Agents: Scammers can also impersonate representatives from your lender on video/audio calls to collect confidential information such as OTPs.

Demanding Processing Fees: In certain cases, scammers can also impersonate trusted representatives from reputed banks/NBFCs using voice cloning and demand processing fees to approve loans.

Document Forging: Scammers are increasingly using technology to swap faces in documents, create forged documents, and even use AI-generated faces to open fraudulent loan accounts.

Real-Life Cases of Deepfake Fraud in India in 2025

• Earlier in 2025, The Hindu reported that a 57-year-old retired homemaker from Bengaluru was duped of approximately ₹3.75 crore using AI-generated deepfake videos of a reputed spiritual leader.
• The Deccan Chronicle reported a financial fraud in Hyderabad in 2025, where a 72-year-old homemaker was duped of approximately ₹1.97 Lakhs by cloning the voice of the victim’s sister.

How to Spot Deepfake Fraud in 2025

In the face of escalating incidents of fraud, staying aware and vigilant is the first step to keeping yourself from becoming a victim.

Here are a few common warning signs to look out for:

How to Protect Yourself from Deepfake Fraud

Deepfake frauds include impersonating your known ones and even bank officials. Here are some best practices to adopt and stay protected against deepfake fraud in 2025.

Always verify identity: Never act out of a sudden voice or video call when it comes to financial transactions or information sharing. Always verify the identity of the caller before engaging in any financial transaction.

Use secure channels: When applying for loans and credit cards, avoid sharing documents/ confidential information through unsecured channels such as WhatsApp or unknown apps. Request for secure portals that have multi-factor authentication.

Stay aware and vigilant: Follow updates from RBI-regulated and reputed financial institutions such as Poonawalla Fincorp blogs. Participate in fraud awareness campaigns during the 2025 International Fraud Awareness Week from 16 – 23 November.

Report suspicious activity: Report suspicious calls and activities to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or to your lender.

Also Read: Can Digital Financial Literacy Protect Against Online Fraud?

To Conclude

Fraudsters can pose as your family, friends, relatives, and colleagues to deceive you into sharing confidential information and drain your lifelong savings. Sometimes, they also pose as your favourite celebrity to convince you to click on fraudulent links with promises of monetary benefit. Deepfake loan fraud is even more dangerous in terms of long-standing damage to your CIBIL score. Even during financial distress, always apply for a loan with RBI-regulated lenders like Poonawalla Fincorp and stay away from malicious loan offers from untrusted sources.

FAQs

What is deepfake fraud?

Deepfake fraud is when Artificial Intelligence is used by fraudsters to create fake videos or voices that seem real. These fakes can fool people into sharing private information or sending money.

How do scammers use deepfakes in loan fraud?

Scammers pretend to be borrowers during video KYC, create fake documents, or act as bank officials to get OTPs and processing fees.

How can I spot a deepfake scam?

Watch for signs like unnatural blinking in videos, a robotic or distorted voice, urgent requests for money, or messages sent through unofficial channels.

What is International Fraud Awareness Week 2025, and why is it important?

International Fraud Awareness Week in 2025 is from November 16 to 23. Its goal is to help people and businesses around the world learn about fraud risks and how to prevent them.