Beware of ‘Trump cyber scam’: Deepfake AI cons over 200 Indians, siphons off Rs 2 crore

In a major cyber fraud, spanning multiple districts in Karnataka, over 200 individuals have reportedly been defrauded of nearly Rs 2 crore through a fake mobile application that used deepfake videos and AI-generated images of US President Donald Trump to lend credibility to a bogus investment scheme.

The news, first reported by India Today, has triggered a state-wide cybercrime investigation and a nationwide alert.

Fake App Promised Exorbitant Returns

The scam revolved around an app named ‘Trump Hotel Rental’, which was promoted as a luxury hotel investment platform offering unusually high short-term returns.

Pitched through targeted social media ads, the app claimed users could earn over 100% profit by investing small amounts. Initial payouts and the ability to withdraw earnings gave a false sense of security, prompting many to invest larger sums.

Multi-District Reach and Modus Operandi

The now-defunct app operated in at least 10 districts, including Bengaluru and combined elements of fake job tasks and pyramid-style investment schemes.

Users were assigned basic activities like filling forms or writing company profiles, with dashboards showing artificially inflated earnings to encourage further investment.

ALSO READ: Fake bride scam! Two including woman arrested in Odisha for deceiving MP youth

Real Payments to Build Trust

Reports added that users were charged a nominal registration fee of around Rs 1,500 and received small daily payouts such as Rs 30. Once the balance crossed Rs 300, withdrawals were allowed to gain the user’s trust.

This tactic convinced victims to deposit larger sums, with some reporting losses in the range of Rs 6 lakh. Later, users were asked to pay “taxes” to access their funds, following which the app stopped working and its promoters vanished.

Deepfake Tech Adds New Threat Dimension

Cyber experts are alarmed at the use of AI-generated images and deepfake content in the scam, which adds a deceptive layer of legitimacy. This marks a worrying trend in cybercrime, where emerging technologies are being used to deceive users more effectively.

ALSO READ: High-interest investment scam busted in Odisha; 3 accused arrested, property under scrutiny

Police have issued advisories urging citizens to verify the authenticity of investment and remote work platforms before transferring any money.