DocumentedDeepfake Financial FraudDecember 7, 2023India

Ratan Tata Deepfake Used in Investment-Scam Ads

Deepfake video advertisements appeared on Instagram and Facebook in late 2023 showing industrialist Ratan Tata appearing to endorse investment schemes promising guaranteed returns. The ads were constructed with cloned audio overlaid on existing Tata footage. Tata posted a clarification on his verified Instagram account on 7 December 2023 calling the videos 'FAKE'.

AI system:Generative AI voice cloning

Impact

Part of a broader wave of Indian celebrity-impersonation scam ads; Priyanka Chopra had been targeted by a similar investment-scam deepfake shortly before. The pattern was a key reference point cited by MeitY and the Indian government in subsequent regulatory action on deepfakes.

Outcome

Tata's public takedown notice and the wave of celebrity protests prompted Meta and other platforms to remove flagged ads. Indian regulators continue to investigate the responsible advertising networks; no individual perpetrator has been publicly charged as of mid-2024.

Sources

  1. Source 1Business Standardwww.business-standard.com/india-news/in-instagram-post-ratan-tata-flags-fake-interview-recommending-investments-123120601156_1.html
  2. Source 2Business Todaywww.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/after-priyanka-chopra-ratan-tata-flags-deepfake-video-of-him-featured-in-an-investment-scam-408514-2023-12-07
  3. Source 3BOOM Livewww.boomlive.in/fact-check/ratan-tata-deepfake-sona-agarwal-laila-rao-fact-check-23768
  4. Source 4The Cyber Expressthecyberexpress.com/ratan-tata-deepfake-video/

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