Deepfake Scams in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad Exploit Names of Top Personalities

Cybercriminals in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad are increasingly using deepfakes, forged documents and impersonation of high-profile personalities to dupe citizens, according to local cybercrime investigators. Over the past three years, names of public figures—from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to business leaders like Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani—have been weaponised to create panic and convince victims to part with their money.

Dr. Shivaji Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Pimpri Chinchwad, said fraudsters no longer rely merely on name-dropping. “They manufacture an illusion of legitimacy and urgency. By showing doctored warrants, fake police stations, or citing well-known figures, criminals shut down victims’ critical thinking,” he said.

In October, a 62-year-old retired LIC officer lost ₹99 lakh after scammers posed as officials of a fictitious “Data Protection Agency” and sent her a fake arrest warrant bearing Sitharaman’s forged signature. In another major case, deepfake videos of Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy promoting an AI stock-trading platform led an elderly Pune resident to lose ₹43 lakh.

Similar deepfakes featuring Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani and prominent market experts have been used to lure victims into fraudulent trading schemes. Police say the scammers also invoke names associated with past investigations—such as Raj Kundra, Naresh Goyal, Chanda Kochhar, and political figures like Nawab Malik—to instill fear and compliance.

“The issue is not just technological ignorance,” a cyber investigator said. “Many people don’t fully understand digital banking, legal procedures, or how easily identities can be faked online.”

Vivek Masal, DCP (Economic Offences Wing and Cyber), Pune City Police, noted that these scams are built on psychological manipulation. “Fraudsters create an emotional environment where victims feel pressured or privileged. Their aim is not only to deceive but to influence behaviour—to make people act quickly and without verification.”

Police say even educated and tech-savvy citizens fall for these tactics because fraudsters exploit human vulnerabilities more effectively than victims understand the technology being deployed.

The trend also mirrors “whale phishing” attacks within companies, in which scammers impersonate senior executives to prompt employees to transfer money or share sensitive information.

Investigators emphasise that despite repeated awareness campaigns, digital arrest and investment scams continue to rise. They stress that long-term protection lies in building digital and cyber literacy from an early age. “Teaching students to verify, question, and think critically is no longer optional,” an investigator said.