In an unsettling turn of events, Indian actor Sonu Sood became the latest victim of a sophisticated cybercrime involving deep fake technology. The incident came to light after a concerned social media follower alerted the actor to a disturbing deep fake video of himself. The video showed an impersonator mimicking Sood in a video call with a family desperately in need of financial support for medical expenses.
The actor, acclaimed for his roles in movies such as ‘Dabangg,’ ‘Happy New Year,’ and ‘Aagadu,’ took immediate action by sharing the fraudulent video on his social media platform this Thursday. By exposing the hoax, Sonu Sood sought to clarify to his vast following that he was not the individual in the video offering financial assistance, thus preventing the misuse of his image and the exploitation of his fans in need.
Sood, a philanthropist known for his humanitarian efforts, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, expressed his concern by captioning the video post: “My film FATEH is inspired by real life incidents involving Deep Fake and fake loan apps. This is the latest incident where someone tried to extract money from an unsuspecting family, by chatting with them through video call pretending to be Sonu Sood. Many innocent individuals fall into this trap. I request all of you to be vigilant if you receive such calls. #fateh.”
Deep fake technology uses artificial intelligence to create convincing fake videos or audio recordings, making it appear as though individuals are saying or doing things they never did. This particular case highlights the potential harm that can come from such deceits, as scammers may exploit the trust and reputation of public figures to commit fraud against vulnerable individuals.
In a stroke of life imitating art or vice versa, these alarming occurrences have prompted Sonu Sood to delve into the realm of filmmaking with a broader purpose. Drawing from these real-life criminal undertakings, Sood has written and directed a new thriller titled ‘Fateh’. This cinematic venture is a product of extensive research, including interviews with cybercrime victims, police officers specializing in cybercrime, and ethical hackers. In ‘Fateh’, he portrays an investigative agent dedicated to safeguarding the nation from the scourge of cyber offenses.
The film ‘Fateh’ comes across as a passion project for Sood, blending entertainment with education on the menacing world of cybercrimes. His on-screen character’s commitment to thwarting digital crimes mirrors his off-screen resolve to raise awareness and protect his followers from falling prey to such scams.
As this news story circulates, the public is reminded of the heightened need for vigilance in an increasingly digitally dependent world. The rapid advancement of technology, though beneficial in many respects, has also paved the way for new forms of criminal activity. While the film ‘Fateh’ will undoubtedly shed light on these issues, Sonu Sood’s direct encounter with a deep fake scam serves as an immediate and real-life cautionary tale.
This report, having been acquired from third-party syndicated sources, ensures that while Mid-day holds the right to modify content, it emphasizes its stance of impartiality on the veracity and responsibility of the information provided. The widespread nature of deep fake cybercrimes calls for a collective awareness and a unified front to combat the malicious use of technology, a mission to which Sonu Sood has undoubtedly committed himself both on and off the screen.
