Wed Mar 19 01:39:00 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Sees Surge in Deepfake Cybercrimes

**Bengaluru, March 19, 2025** – Karnataka is experiencing a significant rise in cybercrimes involving deepfake technology, with 12 cases reported since 2024. This alarming trend highlights the growing threat of AI-enabled deception.

The Karnataka Police have registered seven deepfake cases in 2024 and five more in 2025 (as of February 28th). These incidents range from the creation and dissemination of morphed images to target individuals, often fueled by personal grudges or revenge, to the misuse of deepfake videos to mislead social media users. One notable 2023 case involved the arrest of a 22-year-old man who used deepfakes to tarnish the reputation of a woman who rejected his advances.

While the number of deepfake cases remains relatively low compared to other cybercrimes, the increase reflects a broader surge in digital fraud in Karnataka. Cybercrime cases in the state have risen dramatically from 10,959 in 2020 to 22,415 in 2024, with 2,251 cases already recorded in 2025 (as of February 20th).

The state government is responding to this challenge. A new Cyber Investigation Manual has been distributed to all police stations, and the Centre for Cybercrime Investigation Training & Research (CCITR) has been established to enhance police capabilities. Furthermore, the state budget has allocated ₹5 crore to strengthen the Cyber Crime Division. However, CyberPeace, an NGO and cyber policy think tank, believes a significantly larger budget of around ₹50 crore is needed, emphasizing the importance of research, innovation, and collaboration with academic institutions. The ongoing challenge lies in public awareness and prompt reporting of such crimes to facilitate timely legal action.

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