As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, cybercriminals are also finding smarter and more dangerous ways to cheat people. India’s largest public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has issued an urgent warning to its millions of customers about a new and highly sophisticated threat known as the Deepfake Scam. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), fraudsters are now creating fake voices and videos that look and sound almost identical to real people, making it harder than ever to detect a scam.

Through its official social media platforms, SBI has alerted customers that criminals may impersonate bank officials, family members, or close friends using deepfake technology. These scams are designed to create panic and pressure, pushing victims to transfer money or share sensitive information without proper verification.

What Is Deepfake Technology?

Deepfake is an advanced AI-based technology that can replicate a person’s face, voice, and expressions with shocking accuracy. By using publicly available photos, videos, or voice samples from social media, scammers generate realistic-looking video calls or audio messages.

To the victim, it appears as if a trusted person is speaking directly to them. This could be a senior bank officer, a company boss, or even a close family member. Because the image and voice look genuine, many people lower their guard and believe the request is authentic.

SBI has emphasized that this new form of fraud is far more convincing than traditional phone or SMS scams, as it plays on both emotional trust and visual confirmation.

How Scammers Trap Their Victims

According to the bank’s advisory, cybercriminals usually contact victims through messaging and video call platforms such as WhatsApp or Telegram. They create fake emergency situations to force quick decisions.

Common tactics include:

• Claiming that a bank account will be frozen unless immediate action is taken
• Pretending that a family member has met with an accident and needs urgent money
• Posing as a senior officer asking for a confidential transfer
• Creating panic by saying legal action will be taken if payment is not made

The goal is to make the victim act in fear or urgency, without taking time to verify the information.

Why These Scams Are So Dangerous

What makes deepfake scams especially risky is their realism. The fake video or voice message looks genuine, which makes it extremely difficult for people to doubt what they see or hear. Unlike old fraud methods that relied on unknown phone numbers or poorly written messages, deepfake scams feel personal and authentic.

SBI has noted that many victims lose large amounts of money simply because they trusted what appeared to be a familiar face or voice. Once the money is transferred, it becomes difficult to recover.

Safety Guidelines Issued by SBI

To protect customers from falling into this trap, SBI has shared several important precautions:

• Do not panic or act in haste: If someone demands money urgently, pause and think before responding.
• Verify the identity: Always call back on the known official number of the person or bank to confirm the request.
• Never share confidential details: Banks never ask for OTP, PIN, passwords, or card details over phone or video calls.
• Avoid clicking unknown links: Suspicious links or files may steal your personal data or infect your device.
• Use official channels only: Any financial request should be confirmed through verified bank communication methods.

These steps can help prevent financial loss and identity theft.

Where to Report Deepfake Fraud

SBI has advised customers to report any suspected fraud immediately. Quick action increases the chance of blocking transactions and tracing criminals.

You can report such incidents through:

• Cyber Crime Helpline: Call 1930
• Online Complaint Portal: File a report on the official cyber crime website
• Bank Branch or Customer Care: Inform your bank as soon as possible

Delaying a complaint can reduce the chances of recovering lost money.

Rising Need for Digital Awareness

With AI becoming more powerful, experts believe that deepfake scams will continue to grow unless people become more alert and informed. Public awareness is the strongest defense against such crimes.

Customers are encouraged to:

• Educate family members, especially senior citizens
• Limit personal information shared on social media
• Regularly update security settings on phones and apps
• Stay informed about new cyber fraud trends

Final Warning from SBI

SBI has made it clear that while technology is evolving, caution must grow alongside it. The bank has urged customers not to trust video calls or voice messages blindly, no matter how familiar they appear.

A single careless moment can lead to heavy financial loss. Staying calm, verifying identity, and following safety rules are the best ways to defeat cybercriminals using deepfake technology.

In today’s digital world, awareness is not just protection—it is necessity.