#FactCheck - AI-Generated Video Falsely Claims Salman Khan Is Joining AIMIM

Disclaimer:

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This report is the collaborative outcome of insights derived from the CyberPeace Helpline’s operational statistics and the CyberPeace Research Team, covering the monthly helpline case trends of May 2025, the report identifies recurring trends, operational challenges, and strategic opportunities. The objective is to foster research-driven solutions that enhance the overall efficacy of the helpline. 

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Executive Summary:

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This report summarizes the cybercrime cases reported in May, offering insights into case types, gender distribution, resolution status, and geographic trends.

As per our analysis, out of various Cyber Frauds Financial Fraud was the most reported issue, making up 43% of cases, followed by Cyberbullying (26%) and Impersonation (14%). Less frequent but serious issues included Sexual Harassment, Sextortion, Hacking, Data Tampering, and Cyber Defamation, each accounting for 3–6%, highlighting a mix of financial and behavioral threats.The gender distribution was fairly balanced, with 51% male and 49% female respondents. While both genders were affected by major crimes like financial fraud and cyber bullying, some categories—such as sexual harassment—reflected more gender-specific risks, indicating the need for gender-responsive policies and support.

Regarding case status, 60% remain under follow-up while 40% have been resolved, reflecting strong case-handling efforts by the team.

The location-wise data shows higher case concentrations in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal, with significant reports also from Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Odisha. Reports from the northeastern and eastern states confirm the nationwide spread of cyber incidents.In conclusion, the findings point to a growing need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness, preventive strategies, and robust digital safeguards to address the evolving cyber threat landscape across India.

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Cases Received in May:

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As per the given dataset, the following types of cases were reported to our team during the month of May:

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• 💰 Financial Fraud – 43%
• 💬 Cyber Bullying – 26%
• 🕵️‍♂️ Impersonation – 14%
• 🚫 Sexual Harassment – 6%
• 📸 Sextortion – 3%
• 💻 Hacking – 3%
• 📝 Data Tampering – 3%
• 🗣️ Cyber Defamation – 3%

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The chart illustrates various cybercrime categories and their occurrence rates. Financial Fraud emerges as the most common, accounting for 43% of cases, highlighting the critical need for stronger digital financial security. This is followed by Cyber Bullying at 26%, reflecting growing concerns around online harassment, especially among youth. Impersonation ranks third with 14%, involving identity misuse for deceitful purposes. Less frequent but still serious crimes such as Sexual Harassment (6%), Sextortion, Hacking, Data Tampering, and Cyber Defamation (each 3%) also pose significant risks to users’ privacy and safety. Overall, the data underscores the need for improved cybersecurity awareness, legal safeguards, and preventive measures to address both financial and behavioral threats in the digital space.

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Gender-Wise Distribution:

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• 👨 Male – 51%
• 👩 Female – 49%

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The chart illustrates the distribution of respondents by gender. The data shows that Male participants make up 51% of the total, while Female participants account for 49%. This indicates a fairly balanced representation of both genders, with a slight majority of male respondents.

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Gender-Wise Case Distribution:

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1. The chart presents a gender-wise distribution of various cybercrime cases, offering a comparative view of how different types of cyber incidents affect males and females.
2. It highlights that both genders are significantly impacted by cybercrimes such as financial fraud and cyber bullying, indicating a widespread risk across the board.
3. Certain categories, including sexual harassment, cyber defamation, and hacking, show more gender-specific patterns of victimization, pointing to differing vulnerabilities.
4. The data suggests the need for gender-sensitive policies and preventive measures to effectively address the unique risks faced by males and females in the digital space.
5. These insights can inform the design of tailored awareness programs, support services, and intervention strategies aimed at improving cybersecurity for all individuals.

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‍Major Location Wise Distribution:

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The map visualization displays location-wise distribution of reported cases across India. The cases reflect the cyber-related incidents or cases mapped geographically.

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The map highlights the regional distribution of cybercrime cases across Indian states, with a higher concentration in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal. States like Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Odisha also show notable activity, indicating widespread cyber threats. Regions including Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Jammu & Kashmir further reflect the pan-India spread of such incidents. This distribution stresses the need for targeted cybersecurity awareness and stronger digital safeguards nationwide

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CyberPeace Advisory:

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• Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Create complex passwords using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid reusing the same password across multiple platforms.
  
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security by using a second verification step like an OTP or authentication app.
  
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, apps, and security tools to protect against known vulnerabilities.
  
• Install Trusted Security Software: Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware programs to detect and block threats.
  
• Limit Information Sharing: Be cautious about sharing personal or sensitive details, especially on social media or public platforms.
  
• Secure Your Network: Protect your Wi-Fi with a strong password and encryption. Avoid accessing confidential information on public networks.
  
• Back Up Important Data: Regularly save copies of important files in secure storage to prevent data loss in case of an attack.
  
• Stay Informed with Cybersecurity Training: Learn how to identify scams, phishing attempts, and other online threats through regular awareness sessions.
  
• Control Access to Data: Give access to sensitive information only to those who need it, based on their job roles.
• ‍Monitor and Respond to Threats: Continuously monitor systems for unusual activity and have a clear response plan for handling security incidents.

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• CyberPeace Helpline mail ID:  helpline@cyberpeace.net
• CyberPeace Helpline Number:  9570000066
• Central Government Helpline: https://cybercrime.gov.in/
• Central Government Helpline Number: 1930

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Conclusion

The cybercrime cases reported in May highlight a diverse and evolving threat landscape across India. Financial fraud, cyber bullying, and impersonation are the most prevalent, affecting both genders almost equally, though some crimes like sexual harassment call for targeted gender-sensitive measures. With 60% of cases still under follow-up, the team’s efforts in investigation and resolution remain strong. Geographically, cyber incidents are widespread, with higher concentrations in several key states, demonstrating that no region is immune. These findings underscore the urgent need to enhance cybersecurity awareness, strengthen preventive strategies, and build robust digital safeguards. Proactive and inclusive approaches are essential to protect individuals and communities and to address the growing challenges posed by cybercrime nationwide.

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Introduction

A 33-year-old MBA graduate and 36-year-old software engineer set up the cybercrime hub in one bedroom. They formed the nameless private enterprise two years ago and hired the two youngsters as employees. The police revealed that the fraudsters moved Rs 854 crore rapidly through 84 bank accounts in the last two years. They were using eight mobile phones active during the day and night for their malicious operations. This bad actors group came in the eyes of the police when a 26-year-old woman filed a complaint, she was lured and cheated for Rs 8.5 lakh on the pretext of making small investments for high returns. It led to cyber crime police on their doorstep. The police discovered that they were operating a massive cyber fraud network from that single room, targeting a large number of people for committing cyber fraud through offering investment schemes and luring innocent people. 

How cybercrime fraudsters lured the victims?

The Bangalore police have busted a cyber fraud scam worth 854 Crore rupees. And police have arrested 6 accused. These bad actors illegally deceived numerous victims on the pretext of investment schemes. The gang used to lure them through WhatsApp and Telegram. Initially, the people were asked to invest small amounts, promising daily profits ranging from 1 thousand to 5 thousand rupees. As the trust grew, thousands of victims indulged in investments ranging from 1 lack to 10 lack rupees. This Money luring modus operandi was used by the fraudsters to attract them and get the victims to invest more and more. The amount invested by the victims was deposited into various bank accounts by the fraudsters. When the victims tried to withdraw their amount after depositing they were unable to do so. Soon after the amount was received, the accused gang would launder the money and divert it to other accounts. 

Be cautious of online investment fraud 

It concerns all of us who used to invest online. The Bangalore police have busted cyber crime or cyber investment fraud of 854 crore rupees. The 6 members of the gang that the police have arrested used to approach victims through WhatsApp and telegram to convince them to invest small amounts, from 1 thousand to 10 thousand at the bare minimum and promising them returns or profit amount per day and later lock this amount and diverting it into different bank accounts, ensuring that those get invested never get access to it again.  Now, this went on in the country receiving a large number of cases that have been registered from various states in the country. 

Advisory and best practices

• It is important to mention that there could be several other cybercrime investment frauds like this that you may not even be aware of. Hence, this incident of massive online investment fraud operated from the IT capital of the country definitely acts as an eye-opener for all of us. We urge people to be cautious and raise the alarm about any such cyber crime or investment fraud that they see in the cyber world today. 
• In the age of the internet, where there is a large number of mobile users in the country, and users look for a source of income on the internet and use it to invest their money, it is important to be aware of such fraud and be cautious and take proper precautions before investing in any such online scheme. It is always advisable to invest only in legitimate sources and after conducting due diligence.
• Be cautious and do your research: Whenever you are investing in any scheme or in digital currency, make sure to verify the authenticity or legitimacy of the person or company who is offering such service. Check the reviews, official website, and feedback from authentic sources. Find out whether the agents or brokers who contact you are licensed to operate in your state and are compliant with regulators or other investors. 
• Verify the credentials: Check the genuineness by checking the licenses, registration and certification of the person or company offering such services, whether he is authorised or not.
• Be Skeptical of offers which seem to be too good: If it sounds too good, be cautious and inquire about its authenticity, such as unsolicited offers. Be especially careful if you receive an unsolicited pitch to invest in a particular company or see it praised online but if you could not find current financial information about it from independent sources. It could be a fraudulent scheme. It is advisable to compare promised yields with current returns on well-known stock indexes.
• Seek Expert Advice: If you are a beginner in online investment, you may seek advice from reliable resources such as financial advisors who can provide more clarity on aspects of investment and guidance to help you make informed decisions.
• Avoid Unreliable Platforms: Be cautious and stick to authorised established agencies. Be cautious when dealing with a person or company lacking sufficient user reviews and credible security measures.
• Protect yourself online: Protect yourself online. Fraudsters target users on online and social marketing sites and commit various online frauds; hence, it's important to be cautious and protect yourself online. So be cautious and make your own sound decision after all analysis while investing in any such services. 
• Report Suspicious Accounts: If you encounter any social media accounts, social media groups or profiles which seem suspicious and engaged in fraudulent services, you must report such profiles to the respective platform immediately.
• Report cyber crimes to law enforcement agencies: A powerful resource available to victims of cybercrime is the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, equipped with a 24x7 helpline number, 1930. This portal serves as a centralised platform for reporting cybercrimes, including financial fraud.

Conclusion:

This recent cyber investment fraud worth Rs 854 Crore, orchestrated by a group of fraudsters operating from a single room, serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by bad actors. This incident underscores the importance of being vigilant when it comes to online investments and financial transactions. As we navigate the vast and interconnected landscape of the internet, it is imperative that we exercise due diligence and employ best practices to protect ourselves. We need to be cautious and protected from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes, actively reporting suspicious accounts and cybercrimes to relevant authorities through resources like the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal will contribute to helping stop these types of cyber crimes. Knowledge and awareness are some of the biggest factors we have in fighting back against such cyber frauds in this digital age and making a safer digital environment for everyone.

References

• https://www.news18.com/india/bengaluru-cyber-crime-rs-854-crore-84-banks-accounts-fraud-network-one-bedroom-house-yelahanka-karnataka-8618426.html
• https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/cyber-crime-bengaluru-links-over-5000-cases-india-8982753/lite/

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Introduction

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In October 2024, when the comedian's phone rang, and the voice at the other end claimed to be a FedEx representative, comedian Ankita Shrivastav thought it was a simple issue of misdelivery or customer grievance. The caller said that a parcel in her name was detected being shipped to Iraq and contained illegal drugs. The phone was soon handed over to what appeared to be police personnel in uniform, and she was told that she was under investigation and placed under a so-called digital arrest. For seven hours, she was ordered not to disconnect the call, leave her home, or contact anyone. Through fear, authority, constant surveillance, and psychological pressure, the scammers coerced her into transferring ₹9 lakh in the FedEx parcel scam.

This is the anatomy of one of India's fastest-spreading cyber frauds, and it is costing victims everything.

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The Modus Operandi

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The most concerning part is the sheer consistency of the script. It usually starts with an unsolicited call, made on a spoofed number that could show up as a legitimate courier or government agency. The caller acts as a FedEx/DTDC executive and claims that a parcel dispatched in the victim’s name to either Taiwan, Iraq, Thailand, or Cambodia has been intercepted and contains drugs, forged passports, or fake credit cards.

As the victim tries to establish that they have no knowledge of this, the scammers smoothly shift the conversation to someone must have impersonated the victim’s Aadhaar number. The victim is now both accused and victim and, therefore, more easily manipulated.

The call is "transferred" to a fake NCB officer or cybercrime cell official. The victim sees a person dressed in uniform seated behind a mock police station set with official-looking documents scattered on the desk. A fake arrest warrant that carries the victim’s real name, address, and Aadhaar number, presumably acquired from stolen databases, is presented to the victim.

This is what the scammers call the "digital arrest." The victim is commanded not to move from the camera, nor leave the house, nor speak to anybody. Scammers take turns monitoring the call, who eventually ask the victim to transfer cash into a "secure government account" for RBI or CBI verification. 

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The Psychology of Fear

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"The art of scamming is psychological rather than technological," journalist and author Soumya Gupta opines. The scammers use two deeply primal fears: the fear of the police and the fear of social disgrace. Their victims are manipulated into believing that ending the call is tantamount to pleading guilty and that confessing to friends and family will only exacerbate their current circumstances. The victims' isolation is deliberately induced and combined with fatigue and disorientation.

"From a young age, we are taught to be scared of the police and not to question them,” comedian Ankita Shrivastav, who fell victim in October 2024, explains that childhood condition silenced the alarm bells ringing in my head. Shrivastav admitted that her fear of damage to her reputation made her more susceptible to the scam.

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The Human Cost

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The FedEx parcel scam is targeting everyone, irrespective of age, income, background, or education. Victims of this scam show the kind of different people they are: A 70-year-old veteran journalist was psychologically tortured for eight days in Bangalore, losing 1.2 crores, whereas a 61-year-old retired executive of a multinational was video watched for almost a fortnight in Bangalore, losing 9.14 crores, and additionally, a 25-year-old woman lost 10 lakhs through a video call scam in Coimbatore.

Such a varied mix of victims in such different cases suggests how hard it is to stereotype the ones being swindled: there can be individuals of different age groups ranging from 25 to 70 years old, both educated and non-educated.

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Why the Scam Is Spreading?

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This FedEx parcel scam is a result of a highly industrialised, sophisticated cybercrime system. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal records over 45,000 complaints tagged as specifically 'courier-impersonation fraud' in 2024 alone, where a 1,200-crore loss was registered in that category. 

This scam is powered by stolen Personal Identifiable Information (PII), illegally gathered by scammers through compromised e-commerce stores and rogue registry sites. This data enables the scammers to personalise and tailor the conversation to each individual to make it more believable. Furthermore, fake arrest warrants can be produced within minutes using official-looking templates, and the scammers utilise AI voice cloning and deep-fake videos of government officials. Vast networks of call centres (some based out of India and some overseas, including scam compounds in Cambodia and Myanmar) operate this scam with teams working in shifts. Money is quickly laundered into accounts of 'mule' account holders and quickly into cryptocurrency wallets. Post 24 hours of receiving the funds, recovering money is nearly impossible.

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What You Must Do If You Get This Call?

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One should always remember: no genuine government official will ever carry out an arrest over a video call. There is no "digital arrest," and this process has absolutely no basis in Indian law. If you do get such a call:

• Cut the call immediately: The scammers have you where they want you if you stay on the line. It is not illegal to hang up on them.
• Do not transfer money under threat or compulsion: No authentic investigative process ever requires you to move money to a "secure government account."
• Never share: your Aadhaar details, bank details, OTP, or passwords with anyone you speak to on the phone.
• Do not provide video statements: Whatever you say can be recorded and used to blackmail you further.
• Verify information independently: Call FedEx India (1800-22-6161) or any courier company using numbers from their official website, never numbers provided to you by the caller.
• Lock: your UPI, cards and Aadhaar biometrics instantly if you feel you have shared information with them.
• Call: 1930 within an hour of money transfer. The rate of recovery is 40-60% within one hour and less than 5% after 24 hours.
• File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in and an FIR at your local cyber police station.
• Tell someone: Isolation is the scammer's greatest tool. Breaking it breaks the scam

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Conclusion

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The FedEx parcel scam is also based on a very basic human reaction: the fear of being accused, the urge to obey any figure that represents authority, and the desire to avoid public humiliation. It is designed to skip any part of the brain that may be used to rationalise anything. The only real prevention is to realise, before answering, that the call is never about the FedEx parcel, never from FedEx.

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References

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• https://www.aol.com/news/fedex-says-parcel-drugs-scam-220400617.html
• https://righttoinformation.wiki/fedex-courier-scam-recovery
• https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/beware-of-fedex-scam-bengaluru-journalist-loses-rs-12-crore
• https://www.digit.in/news/general/coimbatore-woman-loses-rs-10-lakh-in-shocking-courier-scam-heres-what-happened.html
• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/fedex-courier-scam-a-tale-of-terror-trickery-and-deceit-2804802
• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/fedex-frauds-con-scared-retiree-of-rs-9-crore-2810169
• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/fedex-frauds-hold-woman-in-digital-captivity-for-8-days-2848168
• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/how-to-fight-fedex-courier-scam-2836566
• https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/fedex-scam-lawyer-blackmailed-424883-2024-04-09
• https://www.ncrb.gov.in/uploads/files/2CrimeinIndia2024-VolumeII.pdf‍
• https://www.newsmobile.in/fraud-and-scam/indian-comedian-falls-victim-to-fedex-digital-arrest-scam-loses-rs-9-lakh/