Deepfake Video Falsely Attributes ₹12,000 Payment Scheme to Speaker Om Birla

Deepfake Video of Om Birla Used to Spread False Information About Government Scheme

A sophisticated deepfake video circulating on social media falsely shows Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announcing a generous financial assistance program that does not exist, according to an investigation by Vishvas News.

The manipulated video, which has gained significant traction online, depicts Birla supposedly announcing an “Aarthik Sahayata Swavalamban” scheme under which the central government would provide ₹12,000 annually for ten years to families with income below ₹5 lakh. The fabricated announcement claims benefits would begin disbursement on December 22.

Digital forensic analysis of the video revealed clear signs of artificial intelligence manipulation. When examined with specialized AI detection tools, including Hiya’s InVid software, results indicated a 95% probability that the audio had been artificially generated. The investigation found that creators had overlaid an AI-cloned voice onto genuine footage of the Lok Sabha Speaker.

“The lip movements don’t synchronize properly with the audio, which is a telltale sign of deepfake manipulation,” explained AI expert Azhar Machwe, who was consulted during the investigation.

The original unaltered footage was located on Sansad TV’s YouTube channel, uploaded on December 1, 2025, showing Birla paying tribute to former MPs during the Lok Sabha’s winter session. This authentic video contains no mention of any financial assistance program.

Comprehensive verification efforts included searches on official government portals, including MyScheme, which maintains records of all legitimate government welfare programs. No reference to any “Aarthik Sahayata Swavalamban” scheme exists in government records or official announcements.

The fabricated content appears designed to mislead vulnerable populations with false promises of financial support. The Instagram account responsible for one version of the viral clip has over 3,300 followers, suggesting a concerning reach for this misinformation.

This incident highlights the growing sophistication of deepfake technology and its potential to spread misinformation about government policies and programs. Such fabrications are particularly dangerous as they target economically vulnerable citizens with false promises of financial aid, potentially leading to confusion and disappointment when people attempt to access nonexistent benefits.

The emergence of such convincing deepfakes presents significant challenges for information verification in the digital age. The technology allows bad actors to put seemingly credible words into the mouths of public officials, undermining public trust in genuine communications.

Law enforcement and cybersecurity experts have increasingly warned about the proliferation of deepfake technology and its potential to disrupt democratic processes and spread misinformation. This case demonstrates how easily manipulated media can circulate on social platforms, reaching thousands before verification can occur.

Citizens are advised to verify government scheme announcements through official channels, including the MyScheme portal, official government websites, or press releases from relevant ministries, rather than relying on social media sources for information about public welfare programs.

As India continues to expand its digital public infrastructure, the incident underscores the critical need for robust fact-checking mechanisms and public education about detecting manipulated media.