How to spot and avoid deepfake scams on Telegram

There are several channels on Telegrams where deepfakes are widely shared. We tell you how you can stay safe if you come across these AI voice dubbed videos being shared on various social media platforms.

Several Telegram channels use AI voice clones of celebrities to endorse its investment schemes.

Former Tata Group chairman and eminent industrialist Ratan Tata recently flagged a fake video which showed ‘him’ recommending a risk-free investment option. The audio was AI-generated.

A screengrab of the deep fake video featuring Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata

If you click on the link at the bottom of the video, which is not a secure connection, it takes you to a Telegram channel. Once the user joins the channel, they have access to another channel named, ‘Sona Agrawal’, with the username @Money_Sonabot.

Sona Agrawal’s Telegram channel

On running a reverse image search, you will find that the profile picture on the channel is of a fashion blogger and Instagram influencer, Sukhneett Wadhwa.

This isn’t the first instance of deepfake video of a celebrity giving investment advice. There are several other channels on Telegrams where deepfakes are widely shared.

Several other Telegram channels use AI voice clones of celebrities to endorse its investment schemes.

There are several other channels on Telegrams where deepfakes are widely shared.

Groups like these are both private and public on Telegram. And it’s the language and the ‘urgency’ in the messages that urges people to fall for the scam. See, for example, the image below.

Several other Telegram channels use AI voice clones of celebrities to endorse its investment schemes.

The prevalence of scams on Telegram underscores the need for heightened vigilance in the digital realm. Users must exercise caution, verify information, and refrain from engaging in dubious schemes.

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Here’s how you can stay safe if you come across these AI voice dubbed videos being shared on various social media platforms:

🚨Do not click on a link that is not secure or takes you to a Telegram channel

🚨Do not invest in schemes promising higher returns

🚨Do not invest if they use an urgent tone, such as, ‘this is your last chance’

🚨Do not give away your personal details on any Telegram channel

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🚨If you still fall a victim to such scams, file a cyber complaint immediately and alert the bank

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More

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artificial intelligence

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