Karnataka reports 12 deepfake-related cybercrime cases in two years

Deepfake cases are typically one-on-one crimes, often stemming from personal grudges or revenge.
| Photo Credit: File photo

Karnataka is seeing an increase in cybercrimes linked to deepfake technology. The Karnataka Police have registered 12 such cases, with seven in 2024 and five more in 2025 (as of February 28).

The use of deepfake videos to mislead social media users has raised concerns over the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). In 2023, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy issued a public warning after such images and videos of him surfaced. He urged people to remain vigilant and report such incidents to the authorities.

In another case in 2023 in Khanapur, Belagavi, a 22-year-old man was arrested for using the technology to create and share morphed images of a woman. The accused, an employee of a private firm in Bengaluru, targeted the woman from Belagavi district after she rejected his advances. He used her name to set up a fake digital profile and shared altered images online to tarnish her reputation.

Revenge crime

A senior police official said while deepfake-related cases have been reported in Karnataka, their numbers remain relatively low compared to other forms of cybercrime. “Deepfake cases are typically one-on-one crimes, often stemming from personal grudges or revenge. In most instances, the victim has a strong suspicion about who might be responsible, making it easier for us to identify and apprehend the accused.”

Regarding the infrastructure needed for the investigation of deepfake crimes, official said unlike financial fraud or large-scale hacking operations, deepfake crimes do not require extensive technical intervention or advanced tracking mechanisms. “The challenge, however, lies in raising awareness about the dangers of deepfakes and ensuring that victims report such cases promptly so that legal action can be taken at the earliest,” the official explained.

 Sharp rise in cybercrime cases

The sharp increase in cybercrime reflects the growing challenge posed by digital fraud, hacking, and online deception. While 2020 saw 10,959 cases in Karnataka, there was a decline in 2021, with the number dropping to 8,363. However, this was short-lived, as incidents surged to 12,885 in 2022.

The most alarming jump occurred in 2023, when the cases nearly doubled, reaching 22,224. The upward trend continued in 2024, with 22,415 cases. In 2025, as of February 20, Karnataka had already recorded 2,251 cybercrime cases.

Cyber Investigation Manual

Responding to a question in the Legislative Council, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the government has developed a Cyber Investigation Manual, which has been distributed to all police stations in the state.

“The manual provides guidelines on investigating cybercrimes and raising awareness among the public to prevent such offences,” he added. “To effectively control cybercrimes and conduct thorough investigations, we have set up the Centre for Cybercrime Investigation Training & Research (CCITR). Additionally, we are training our police personnel to handle cybercrime cases more efficiently,” he further said.

In his recent Budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the Cyber Crime Division would be strengthened with a ₹5 crore grant.

However, Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President of CyberPeace, an NGO and Cyber Policy Think Tank, said this allocation was insufficient. “The ideal budget for the Cyber Crime Division should be around ₹50 crore, with a strong focus on research and innovation. Greater collaboration with academic institutions and NGOs would help the police tackle complex cybercrimes more effectively,” he said.