The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has warned people to stay alert against fake investment advertisements circulating on Facebook and Instagram, saying cybercriminals are increasingly using social media to lure victims with false promises of high returns.
According to I4C, fraudsters misuse the names, photographs and videos of the Prime Minister, Union ministers, leading industrialists, investment experts, film celebrities and other well-known personalities to make their advertisements appear credible. These ads typically promote claims such as “Guaranteed Returns”, “Double Money”, “Daily Profit” and “Limited Time Investment Offer” to attract unsuspecting users.
I4C said these advertisements often look authentic but are designed to steal people’s hard-earned money. In many cases, cybercriminals are also using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create deepfake videos, making it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between genuine and fake promotional content.
HOW INVESTMENT SCAM WORKS
Cybercriminals first run sponsored advertisements on Facebook and Instagram featuring images or videos of popular personalities while falsely claiming that they earned massive profits through a particular investment platform.
When users click on these advertisements, they are redirected to a website or invited to join a WhatsApp or Telegram group. They are then encouraged to make a small initial investment of Rs 500, Rs 1,000 or Rs 5,000 with promises of earning multiple times the amount within a few days.
Initially, fraudsters display fake profits on fabricated dashboards to gain the victim’s confidence. Once trust is established, they repeatedly persuade victims to invest larger amounts.
When victims attempt to withdraw their money, the fraudsters demand additional payments under the pretext of taxes, processing fees, security charges or Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Eventually, the fraudulent website becomes inaccessible, the victim’s account is blocked and the scammers disappear.
PM, PROMINENT PERSONALITIES IMAGES BEING MISUSED
I4C specifically warned that several fake advertisements misuse the names and photographs of the Prime Minister and other prominent personalities. The fraudsters falsely suggest that certain investment schemes are backed by government initiatives or recommended by senior leaders to convince people that the offers are legitimate.
The agency reminded citizens that the Government of India, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) or any other legitimate government institution does not promote investment opportunities through social media advertisements.
AI, DEEPFAKE TECHNOLOGY INCREASING THREAT
I4C said cybercriminals are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence to produce deepfake videos that falsely portray famous personalities endorsing investment schemes.
These videos are entirely fabricated, with AI generating facial expressions, voice and speech patterns. The agency cautioned that users should not trust an investment opportunity simply because it appears in a convincing video.
HOW TO IDENTIFY FAKE INVESTMENT ADVERTISEMENTS
I4C said fraudulent investment advertisements often display several common warning signs, including:
- Claims of “100% Guaranteed Return”.
- Promises of doubling or multiplying money within a short period.
- Pressure tactics using messages such as “Invest Today”, “Limited Offer” or “Last Chance”.
- Use of photographs of the Prime Minister, industrialists, actors or investment experts.
- Requests to join WhatsApp or Telegram groups.
- Investment advice without SEBI registration.
- Pressure to make immediate bank transfers or UPI payments.
WHAT TO VERIFY BEFORE INVESTING
I4C advised people to independently verify every online investment opportunity before investing money.
Users should confirm whether the company is registered with SEBI, check whether the website domain is genuine, verify if the same investment scheme appears on the company’s official website, and ensure that the contact number and office address are authentic. The agency also advised people to avoid investing solely on the basis of social media advertisements.
If any aspect of an investment offer appears suspicious, I4C urged people not to invest.
I4C’S ADVISORY TO THE PUBLIC
The agency advised citizens to:
- Avoid making investment decisions based only on social media advertisements.
- Not blindly trust celebrity endorsements.
- Independently verify all investment-related information.
- Exercise caution with investment advice shared through WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Avoid clicking on unknown or suspicious links.
- Never share banking details, OTPs, UPI PINs or passwords with anyone.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM
I4C advised victims of fake investment scams to act immediately by informing their bank, reporting the incident through the National Cyber Helpline at 1930, and filing a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
The agency also asked victims to preserve screenshots, payment receipts, chat records and copies of the fraudulent advertisements, noting that quicker reporting improves the chances of recovering lost funds.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY
Experts believe that platforms such as Facebook and Instagram should strengthen the scrutiny and monitoring of advertisements appearing on their services. They said timely removal of fraudulent advertisements and stricter action against repeat offenders could significantly reduce such scams.
I4C said that while digital platforms have expanded investment opportunities, cybercriminals have also modernised their methods. Instead of relying only on phone calls, fraudsters now use social media advertisements, AI-powered deepfake videos and fake investment platforms to target victims online.
– Ends
Click Here For The Original Source.
