SCAM Alert: Did PM Modi Launch Any Scheme Offering Rs 1.25 Lakh Daily Profit? Clarifies Government
SCAM Alert: In response to a viral video claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has endorsed an investment scheme guaranteeing daily profits of Rs 1.25 lakh on an initial Rs 21,000 investment, the Indian government has issued a strong clarification dismissing the video as a digitally altered fraud.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check Unit has confirmed that the video in circulation is “digitally manipulated” using artificial intelligence and deepfake tools. “PM Modi or the government of India is not associated with any such investment platform,” the PIB said in an official statement on July 7, 2025.
The fake scheme appears to be a part of a larger trend of scams using synthetic media, hyper-realistic fake videos and audio that impersonate public figures to mislead unsuspecting citizens. “A video circulating on social media shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsing an investment scheme that promises to offer a daily profit of up to Rs 1.25 lakh on an investment of Rs 21,000. Sounds unbelievable? It is! Because it’s FAKE,” the PIB clarified via a social media alert.
SCAM Alert: Banks Issue Deepfake Scam Warnings
India’s leading financial institutions have also raised concerns about the growing misuse of deepfakes in financial frauds.
In May 2025, the State Bank of India (SBI) issued a public caution notice, warning customers about scam videos using deepfake technology. The bank posted, “Always verify the identity of the person offering investment opportunities. Be cautious of unsolicited advice and always double-check before investing.”
Similarly, HDFC Bank explains the risk on its website, “Deepfakes use AI to create deceptive audio or video content, mimicking the appearance or voice of someone else. Scammers might impersonate a bank executive or even someone from your personal life to trick you into revealing sensitive information.”
SCAM Alert: What Are Deepfakes?
Deepfakes are artificial intelligence-generated media that convincingly replicate real people’s voices or appearances. In financial scams, they are increasingly being used to impersonate leaders, bank executives, or public figures to lend credibility to fake investment schemes.
Scammers use these videos to:
- Trick viewers into transferring money
- Extract personal or financial data
- Direct users to fake websites resembling legitimate government or banking portals
SCAM Alert: How to Stay Safe
The government and banks advise citizens to:
- Never trust investment offers from viral videos without verifying through official channels
- Cross-check schemes through government portals like https://www.pib.gov.in or trusted banking websites
- Ignore and report any unsolicited investment advice or links from unverified sources
- Beware of promises of unusually high or guaranteed returns
If you come across such suspicious content, report it to the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or on the Cyber Crime Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in).
No such investment scheme endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the Government of India exists. The viral video is a deepfake and a clear attempt at defrauding citizens using AI-generated content. Always remain vigilant and verify through official sources before parting with your money.
