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AI-Based Deepfake Fraud: Police Retrieves Money Worth ₹40,000 Defrauded From Kozhikode Victim


Kozhikode, India: In a ‘deepfake’ incident, a man from Kozhikode, Kerala lost ₹40,000 after he fell prey to an AI-based scam.

According to police officials, the victim, identified as Radhakrishnan received a video call on WhatsApp from an unknown number. Apparently, the swindlers used Artificial Intelligence tools to generate a deepfake video of the victim’s old colleague knew. To further maintain the trust, the scam caller cunningly mentioned the victim’s former acquaintances.

During their conversation, the scammer made a desperate request of ₹40,000, stating a medical urgency of a relative who is in the hospital. Trusting the caller, Radhakrishnan provided the financial aid, via Google Pay.

Later, the caller made another request to Radhakrishnan, of ₹40,000, which raised his suspicions. Following this, he reached out to his colleague directly. To his disbelief, he discovered the entire incident was in fact an AI based deepfake fraud, and he was robbed./ Realizing the fraud, he immediately filed a complaint to the Cyber Police.

The cyber cell promptly investigated the case and managed to the bank authorities of the bank account where the money was kept. Apparently, the bank account was traced back to private bank located in Maharashtra.

This was the first incidence of deepfake fraud based on Al that has been detected in the state, according to the Kerala Police Cyber Cell.

Modus Operandi: The scammers collect images from social media profiles and use artificial intelligence to create misleading films. These con artists use Al technology in conjunction with details like mutual friends' names to appear legitimate and con innocent individuals.

How to Protect Oneself From Deepfakes? 

Similar cases of deepfakes and other AI-based frauds have raised concerns for cyber security professionals.

Experts have cautioned against such scams and provided some safety advice. Because the majority of deepfakes have subpar resolution, people are urged to examine the video quality. When closely examined, it is obvious that the deepfake films are fake since they either abruptly end or loop back to the beginning after a predetermined length of time. Before conducting any financial transactions, it is also a good idea to get in touch with a person separately to confirm that they are truly participating in the video conversation. 

Beware of WhatsApp Scam Calls From International Numbers

A growing number of people have recently reported getting unexpected calls on WhatsApp from foreign numbers. These calls frequently originate from unknown or unfamiliar parties and may be a part of a fraud or scam. 

It is crucial to exercise caution and act quickly to safeguard yourself from any threats. Here are five crucial actions you should do if you get such calls or messages.
  • Do not answer or respond: When you receive a call from an international number that you don't recognize, it's advisable not to answer or respond. Engaging with unknown callers can put you at risk of falling victim to scams or unauthorized access to your personal information.
  • Block the number: Use the block feature available on WhatsApp to prevent further calls or messages from the specific international number. Blocking the number will ensure that you do not receive any more unwanted communication from that source.
  • Report and flag the number: WhatsApp provides users with the option to report and flag suspicious or unwanted calls or messages. Utilize this feature to notify WhatsApp about the incident. Reporting the number can help the platform take appropriate action and prevent similar occurrences.
  • Be cautious with personal information: Avoid sharing any personal or sensitive information with unknown callers, especially those from international numbers. Scammers may attempt to extract personal details or financial information under the guise of a legitimate conversation.
  • Stay updated and educate yourself: Stay informed about the latest scams and frauds targeting WhatsApp users. Educate yourself about the tactics used by scammers to recognize and avoid potential threats. Regularly check reliable sources for updates on new scams and best practices for protecting yourself online.
It's important to note that WhatsApp is actively working to enhance security measures and prevent such fraudulent activities. However, users must also take responsibility for their own safety and be vigilant while using the platform. By following these precautions, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to scams or unauthorized access to your personal information.

If you encounter any suspicious or fraudulent activities on WhatsApp, it is recommended to report the incident to your local law enforcement agencies or the cybercrime helpline. Prompt reporting can help in raising awareness and assisting authorities in their efforts to combat such scams effectively.

Always be vigilant and take the appropriate safety measures when using WhatsApp or any other communication platform because your privacy and security are very important. Keep yourself aware, vigilant, and protected from any threats connected to WhatsApp's unrecognized international calls.

WhatsApp's New Feature Lets You Add More People To Group Video Calls!


Finally! The days of whining about the limited number of participants you could add to WhatsApp’s group video and audio calls are OVER! Praise digital advancement, because the limit has been increased from 4 to 8 participants.

For people stuck far away from their families and in times that strictly demand social distancing, video calling applications contribute a lot in keeping us all sane by helping us feel close to our loved ones.

People have often found the number of participants in the group video/audio calls a major limitation of the otherwise significantly efficient WhatsApp.

Hence when WhatsApp, taking into account the terrific rise in the usage of Video Calling applications, at long last has decided to increase the number of contacts you can add to a group video/audio call, we can’t help but be happy.

The new feature would be exclusively available for the users of Android and iOS beta. The installation of the 2.20.50.25 update for the iOS beta users and the 2.20.133 beta update for the Android users is a prerequisite for the accessibility of the feature.

From One Billion daily active WhatsApp users and 400 Million out of them being Indians this new feature was being expected for quite a long time, researchers mention.


For the group video call with the raised number of participants to function at all, all the participants must have the same versions of the application, meaning 2.20.133 beta for Android users and 2.20.50.25 beta update for iOS users. A new header also notifies users about the end-to-end encryption of the calls.

Per sources, in the last month alone the number of people who “video-call” and the time they spend doing it has increased sufficiently on a global level. The pandemic has brought people closer “online” while being physically distant.

Other famous video calling applications including Facebook’s Messenger and Apple’s FaceTime offer a provision to add 50 and 32 people at once, respectively.

This feature will roll out gradually so all you have to do is update your WhatsApp application, sit tight, and wait for your device to embrace it with open arms!

All it takes a WhatsApp call for the spyware to enter your phone


It’s been a day of high-profile security incidents. First there was news the popular WhatsApp messenger app was hacked. Updated versions of WhatsApp have been released, which you should install if you’re one of the more than one billion people who use the app.

WhatsApp has confirmed that a security flaw in the app let attackers install spy software on their targets' smartphones. The spyware install on a host phone via a WhatsApp call. The spyware deletes all WhatsApp call logs to become untraceable.

On Wednesday, chip-maker Intel confirmed that new problems discovered with some of its processors could reveal secret information to attacks.

What's scary about this spyware is that it can slip on any WhatsApp users' smartphone without giving the slightest clue that their devices have been infected. All it takes is a WhatsApp call.

The WhatsApp news was revealed first by the Financial Times, which says the bug was used in an attempt to access content on the phone of a UK-based human rights lawyer.

That has left many of its 1.5 billion users wondering how safe the "simple and secure" messaging app really is. How trustworthy are apps and devices?

No. Messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, meaning they are scrambled when they leave the sender's device. The messages can be decrypted by the recipient's device only.

WhatsApp is arguably one of the most popular social messaging apps in the world. In the recent times, the Facebook-owned social messaging app has been under fire owing to the rampant spread of misinformation on its platform. But never has the app been under seige by a malware. That is until now.

WhatsApp has rolled out an update to its servers. It has also rolled out a security patch on to its Android and iOS apps to safeguard your phone data. Software patches have been released by several vendors, including Microsoft. You should install security updates from vendors promptly, including these.