Kampala — A sophisticated artificial intelligence-generated video falsely depicting city businessman Sudhir Rupareliaendorsing a suspicious financial platform has triggered concern among cybersecurity experts and the public.
The video, now circulating widely on social media, features a convincing synthetic voice and likeness resembling Dr Ruparelia promoting a platform identified as “OredexiaMarket™️.”
In the clip, the fabricated persona urges viewers to “take advantage of this opportunity” and register for what is presented as an innovative financial solution aimed at helping families build wealth.
To enhance its credibility, the video is styled to mimic a legitimate news broadcast, complete with visual branding elements that create the false impression of endorsement by a reputable media house.
However, Dr Ruparelia has strongly distanced himself from the platform, dismissing the video as entirely fraudulent.
“This is completely fake. I have not launched any such app, and I am not involved in anything called OredexiaMarket,” he said, warning the public to remain vigilant against emerging forms of digital deception.
He added:
“People must be extremely cautious. AI is now being misused to deceive the public.”
Cybersecurity experts warn that advances in artificial intelligence are making it easier for fraudsters to execute highly convincing scams. Through voice cloning and realistic video manipulation, criminals can exploit the credibility of well-known individuals to gain public trust.
In the manipulated footage, the cloned voice references global economic challenges and promotes the platform as a solution—a tactic commonly associated with high-risk investment scams designed to create urgency and drive rapid sign-ups.
Analysts say deepfake-enabled fraud is increasingly spreading across Africa, where influential public figures are often targeted due to their visibility and public trust. The blend of persuasive messaging, economic pressure, and synthetic media has created a fertile ground for financial exploitation.
Members of the public have been urged to ignore the circulating video, avoid engaging with the advertised platform, and verify any financial opportunity through official and trusted communication channels before making financial commitments.
Authorities and cybersecurity stakeholders continue to call for increased digital literacy and public awareness as critical tools in combating the rising threat of AI-driven scams.