Pak-linked accounts spread CM Vijay's deepfakes to dupe people; 1 arrested

A 28-year-old man from Rajasthan has been arrested for allegedly circulating AI-generated deepfake videos of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay to dupe people with promises of financial assistance. Investigators are probing similar videos circulated through Facebook accounts suspected to be operated from Pakistan, the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID) said.

The accused, identified as Shayabhu Khan, was arrested on September 12 in Alwar district following an operation conducted with the Rajasthan Police. Mobile phones, SIM cards and a CPU allegedly used in the crime were seized from him.

According to the CBCID, the videos showed an AI-generated version of Vijay speaking in a fabricated Hindi voice. Viewers were asked to contact a WhatsApp number to receive financial assistance. The videos were circulated on Facebook and other social media platforms and were used to cheat several people in Madhya Pradesh and other states.

The CBCID said it is investigating whether the Pakistan-based accounts, from where the deepfakes were circulated, received assistance from people in India, and is trying to identify those operating them.

The agency detected the videos during routine online monitoring and registered a case on September 1 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.

Investigators obtained information from the service provider and analysed digital evidence, which led them to suspects in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Two special teams were subsequently sent to the states.

Khan was traced to Alwar district and arrested with the help of local police. He was later brought to Tamil Nadu on a prisoner transit warrant and remanded in judicial custody.

The CBCID also traced a man in Madhya Pradesh who had lost money in the fraud. Police said his statement and the evidence he provided strengthened the case against Khan.

The agency is investigating whether Khan operated independently or was part of a larger network.

The Tamil Nadu Police urged people not to contact phone numbers or join WhatsApp groups promoted through such videos. It also advised the public to verify online offers of financial assistance before sharing personal or banking information.