📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Peter Haas
Crime
AI-Generated Celebrity Endorsements Fuel Cyber Frauds in Andhra Pradesh
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 31 Jul 2026, 04:04 AM
👁 1
Fraudsters in Andhra Pradesh are using AI-generated celebrity endorsements to lure victims into online scams, prompting a crackdown by state cybercrime authorities.
Fraudsters in Andhra Pradesh are exploiting artificial intelligence to create convincing celebrity endorsements that appear to be genuine. These fabricated videos and messages are then distributed through social media and messaging apps, convincing unsuspecting users that a popular star is promoting a lucrative investment or product.
The scams typically involve a request for a small upfront fee or personal information, after which the victim is told to transfer money to a supposedly secure account. Once the money is sent, the fake endorsement disappears and the victim is left with no recourse.
State cybercrime officials have launched an investigation into the incidents, collaborating with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to trace the origin of the deep‑fake content. They are also working with telecom operators to block the distribution channels used by the scammers.
Citizens are urged to verify any endorsement by checking official channels or contacting the celebrity’s verified account before making any financial commitment. Authorities have warned that the use of AI in fraud is a growing threat and will continue to enhance monitoring and public awareness campaigns.
The scams typically involve a request for a small upfront fee or personal information, after which the victim is told to transfer money to a supposedly secure account. Once the money is sent, the fake endorsement disappears and the victim is left with no recourse.
State cybercrime officials have launched an investigation into the incidents, collaborating with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to trace the origin of the deep‑fake content. They are also working with telecom operators to block the distribution channels used by the scammers.
Citizens are urged to verify any endorsement by checking official channels or contacting the celebrity’s verified account before making any financial commitment. Authorities have warned that the use of AI in fraud is a growing threat and will continue to enhance monitoring and public awareness campaigns.