A unique and dangerous cyber fraud in Karnataka has shocked the police and the people. This time, the thugs made a fake video of US President Donald Trump using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and duped people of crores of rupees through a fake investment app. More than 200 people have fallen prey to this scam, and according to the police, this number may increase further. So far, fraud of about Rs 2 crore has been confirmed.
How Did This Scam Happen?
According to the news published in Business Standard, Haveri district SP Anshu Kumar said an app named ‘Donald Trump Rental App’ was created in this case. Short videos related to this app were played on social media and YouTube, and fake clips of Trump made by AI were shown.
When people clicked on the link, they were asked to download an app. Then, a registration fee was charged on the app, and gradually, a large amount was deposited. Once the money was deposited, both the app and the thug disappeared.
Lawyer Got Scammed For Rs 6 Lakh
A 38-year-old lawyer told The Indian Express that he invested around Rs 5,93,240 in this scheme between January and April 2025. He said, “I saw a short on YouTube in which it was claimed to invest in the Trump Hotel. On clicking the link, I was asked to download the app. First, I deposited Rs 1,500, then every day Rs 30 started coming into the account. This increased my confidence, and I gradually invested up to Rs 1 lakh.” The lawyer said that later he was asked for more money in the name of tax, and when he paid that too, he did not get any return, and the app disappeared.
People Were Also Cheated In Bengaluru, Tumakuru and Mangaluru
Apart from Haveri, many people in other districts of Karnataka, like Bengaluru, Tumakuru and Mangaluru, have also fallen prey to this scam. The police have received more than 15 complaints in Haveri alone, and they are appealing to other victims to come forward and file complaints.
AI and Social Media Became The New Weapon Of Fraudsters
The special thing in this case is that the fraudsters created a video that looked and spoke like Donald Trump by misusing AI technology. People were deceived by this kind of technology, especially when they saw money coming in daily. The lawyer claimed that many people have fallen prey to this scam. He said, “Government employees, police officers, and businessmen are also trapped in this trap.”
This Can Be Just The Beginning
This case has proved that combining AI and fake videos has become a new tool for fraudsters. If you have also seen any video like “Donald Trump Investment” or “High Return Scheme” on social media, then be alert immediately. The police appeal that if you have also become a victim of any fake app or scheme, then report to the nearest police station without delay.
