Reported deepfake video scam impersonates industrialist Govindbhai Dholakia to defraud individuals in Rajkot
A social media fraud has reportedly emerged in Rajkot, India, where scammers allegedly used deepfake videos and fake social media profiles to impersonate industrialist and Rajya Sabha MP Govindbhai Dholakia. The fraudsters reportedly claimed to be Dholakia, promoting misleading advertisements about purchasing old currency coins at high prices and requesting a ₹1,500 UPI processing fee from victims.
According to reports, a social media fraud has come to light in Rajkot, India, involving the identity of Surat industrialist and Rajya Sabha MP Govindbhai Dholakia. Fraudsters allegedly created fake social media profiles and utilized Dholakia's old photographs and videos to produce deepfake clips. In these videos, the scammers reportedly impersonated Dholakia, stating, "I am Govindbhai Dholakia speaking," and promoted advertisements claiming to purchase old currency coins at high prices on behalf of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Victims were then allegedly asked to transfer ₹1,500 via UPI as a processing fee. The scam was reportedly uncovered by retired DySP R.G. Jadeja, associated with SRK Company, who cross-checked suspicious contact numbers from the videos. Upon questioning, the caller, who claimed to be Dholakia, disconnected the call. A complaint was filed by Bhavesh Valjibhai Lathiya, Dholakia's personal secretary, with the Cyber Crime police, who have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.