Bengaluru Police investigating AI video in which Kohli and Sitharaman are seen endorsing fake stock apps

Bengaluru’s cyber crime police have initiated a suo motu investigation into a series of AI-generated videos in which cricketer Virat Kohli, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other public figures are shown endorsing fake stock-trading applications.

Sub-Inspector Rohini Reddy discovered the videos, dated between November 1 and 3, while checking their social media accounts, The Times of India reported.

They found manipulated clips of Sitharaman, industrialist Anant Ambani, journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, MP Sudha Murthy, Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, actors Hrithik Roshan, Kohli and others.

The video urged viewers to download, register and invest in certain apps, promising returns ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹1 lakh.

Some clips also promoted investment in online games. Reddy flagged the material to the police commissioner, and an analysis confirmed that the recordings were AI-generated deepfakes.

Police said cyber criminals use such videos to lure and cheat investors. A case has been registered under the Information Technology Act and section 318 of the Indian Justice Code (fraud).