Research On Forensic Investigation Of Ai-Generated Deepfake Content In Criminal And Financial Cases
Case 1: Kozhikode City Police – Deepfake Financial Fraud (India, 2024)
Facts:
A group of five suspects created deepfake videos to impersonate individuals known to senior citizens. In one instance, a video depicted a former colleague of a senior in a hospital requesting money for urgent treatment. The victim transferred ₹40,000 before realizing it was a fraud.
Forensic Investigation:
Detection of face-swapping and manipulation in the video.
Tracing the digital trail of the suspects across multiple states.
Analysis of transaction logs to link funds to the suspects’ accounts.
Legal Outcome:
The accused were arrested, and a police investigation was initiated for fraud and cybercrime. Though no published judgment exists, it demonstrates law enforcement treating AI-generated content as criminal evidence.
Significance:
Demonstrates deepfake technology being used in financial scams.
Highlights the importance of digital and forensic investigations combining media analysis with financial tracing.
Case 2: Pune Share Fraud via Deepfake Video (India, 2025)
Facts:
A deepfake video of prominent business figures appeared on social media, promoting a stock trading platform. The victim invested ₹21,000 but ultimately lost ₹43 lakh. The video impersonated trusted figures to build credibility.
Forensic Investigation:
Verification that the video was a deepfake using AI-media analysis.
Tracking the WhatsApp group, fraudulent application, and cryptocurrency transactions.
Identifying device logs and network activity associated with the fraudulent app.
Legal Outcome:
FIR registered and investigation ongoing. No final judgment yet, but suspects were linked via digital forensic evidence.
Significance:
Highlights deepfake content used to manipulate victims into financial transactions.
Demonstrates the integration of media forensic techniques with financial and crypto tracing.
Case 3: Delhi High Court – Interim Relief in Deepfake Defamation Case (India, 2025)
Facts:
A woman filed a civil suit alleging that pornographic deepfake videos of her were circulating online without consent. She sought immediate removal of the content.
Forensic Investigation:
Technical analysis confirmed videos were AI-generated and altered.
Investigation traced distribution links and platforms hosting the content.
Legal Outcome:
Delhi High Court granted a temporary injunction requiring platforms to take down the content and respond to future notices by the plaintiff.
Significance:
Shows judicial recognition of deepfake content as a violation of privacy and personal rights.
Demonstrates the role of forensic evidence in securing civil relief even before criminal proceedings.
Case 4: Multi-State Deepfake Share Fraud via Cryptocurrency (India, 2025)
Facts:
A deepfake video impersonating a stock expert directed viewers to download a fraudulent trading app. Victims’ funds were siphoned through crypto transactions.
Forensic Investigation:
Verification of the video as a deepfake.
Linking app downloads and crypto transactions to the suspects.
Tracing device IDs and network connections used in the fraud.
Legal Outcome:
Five suspects were arrested across multiple states, and authorities recovered a portion of the funds. Investigations combined digital forensics with financial crime tracking.
Significance:
Demonstrates complex fraud using AI-generated media combined with cryptocurrency.
Illustrates the challenges forensic investigators face in connecting deepfake media to real-world financial transactions.
Key Forensic and Legal Themes Across Cases
Deepfake Detection: Essential for proving fraud or impersonation. Tools analyze video/audio anomalies, metadata, and GAN fingerprints.
Evidence Chain & Attribution: Investigators must link the AI-generated content to perpetrators through accounts, apps, or transactions.
Integration of Media and Financial Forensics: Many cases combine synthetic media with financial transactions (crypto or bank transfers).
Legal Remedies: Include criminal prosecution, arrests, FIRs, and civil injunctions for content removal.
Emerging Risk: Deepfakes pose increasing threats to financial institutions, corporate trust, and personal security, necessitating forensic preparedness.
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