Published on 02/04/2025
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, the Chairman of the Ruparelia Group, has sounded an alarm over a fraudulent deep fake video falsely portraying him as an advocate for an online investment scheme.
The misleading video, generated using advanced artificial intelligence (AI), depicts Dr. Ruparelia making deceptive claims about a highly profitable financial platform.
According to the fake footage, he allegedly states that the Ugandan government is “hiding information” about a scheme that guarantees earnings of up to UGX 10 million per month from an initial investment of UGX 915,000.
Additionally, the AI-altered video suggests that authorities are suppressing vital details and removing content about the investment opportunity, further fuelling public confusion. “This platform is completely legal, licensed, and working in the country,” the deep fake video falsely asserts, mimicking Dr. Ruparelia’s voice with alarming accuracy.
However, the footage has been identified as a sophisticated forgery, likely created by repurposing an authentic interview the businessman previously conducted with the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC). Digital alterations to both visuals and audio have been used to make it appear as though he is endorsing the fraudulent scheme.
Reacting to the manipulated video, Dr. Ruparelia firmly distanced himself from the false claims and condemned the use of AI to mislead the public.
“This is not me. My voice and image have been manipulated using AI to deceive people into parting with their hard-earned money,” Ruparelia stated, urging the public to exercise caution when approached with seemingly lucrative online offers.
“Please be careful, it is a scam. I urge the public to exercise extreme caution. I have not endorsed any online investment platform promising unrealistic returns.”
Having built a business empire spanning banking, real estate, and hospitality, Dr. Ruparelia has encountered various challenges throughout his career. Now, he is using his influence to educate the public about the dangers of AI-driven scams.
“Don’t fall for the next one,” he warned. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Cybersecurity experts have echoed his concerns, warning that AI technology is increasingly being used by fraudsters to create deepfake videos and clone voices. “From fabricating convincing visuals to mimicking voices with precision, AI is becoming a tool for scammers to exploit trust,” said Dr. Angela Ndaka, a Kampala-based technology analyst.
She also cautioned that such fraudulent tactics could extend beyond high-profile figures like Dr. Ruparelia to unsuspecting individuals, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and vigilance in the digital age.
