Fact Check: Nirmala Sitharaman endorses trading platform to earn easy money?
No, viral video is digitally manipulated
Claim: The video shows Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman endorsing a life-changing trading platform for Indians that promises financial gains without effort or special skills.
Fact: The claim is false. The audio of the viral video has been digitally manipulated. In the original video, Sitharaman addresses the 55th meeting of the GST Council in December 2024.
Hyderabad: A video featuring senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman, serving as the minister of Finance and minister of Corporate Affairs, has been circulating on social media, allegedly promoting a trading platform to earn guaranteed profits.
In the video, Sitharaman, without naming the platform, reportedly announces that Indian citizens no longer need to work hard or worry about their family’s future. She is allegedly heard saying, “This revolutionary, risk-free platform allows Indian citizens to earn Rs 60,000 per day effortlessly using AI-driven trading technology. It is officially licensed, globally verified and insured by the National Bank of India for complete security.
Anyone—teachers, retirees, housewives, or drivers—can join. Simply register, get guided by a project manager and deposit Rs 20,000 to start earning. No skills or effort are needed—the AI does everything for you. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity—act now and secure your financial future!”
We carefully listened to the entire video but found no instance of Sitharaman endorsing any trading platform that promises financial gains without effort or special skills. However, we observed that the minister’s background and her chair in the viral video are identical to those in the original footage. Sitharaman was also seen wearing the same outfit as in the viral clip.
The viral clip appears in the video after the 32:59 mark, going by the identical hand gestures of the minister in both videos. However, in the original video, she was talking about rate rationalisation, not endorsing any trading platform.
We also checked the PIB press release on the ‘Recommendations of the 55th Meeting of the GST Council’, dated December 21, 2024. According to the press release, the council recommended:
- A reduction in the GST rate on fortified rice kernels
- Full exemption of GST on gene therapy
- Exemption of GST on contributions by general insurance companies from third-party motor vehicle premiums for the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund
- No GST on voucher transactions, as they are neither a supply of goods nor services
- Clarification that no GST is payable on penal charges levied by banks and NBFCs for borrower non-compliance with loan terms
- Reduction in the pre-deposit amount required for filing an appeal before the Appellate Authority when the order involves only a penalty
However, We found no mention of Sitharaman endorsing any trading platform.
According to our partner, Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU), the inconsistencies in the video are apparent. Sitharaman's lip movements are mostly out of sync with the audio. In segments where the frames are zoomed in, her teeth appear as brown patches, a common sign of AI-based manipulation.
The DAU analysis also highlights that the accent in the video does not match Sitharaman’s characteristic speech. At times, it sounds decidedly foreign and is completely unrecognizable.
Finally, the transcript itself follows a familiar scam formula—claims that the subject has personally tested the platform, assurances of guaranteed returns, and promises of financial independence—all classic tactics used in deceptive videos.
Hence, it is clear that a video of the finance minister has been digitally altered using an external voice to make it look like Sitharaman was endorsing a trading platform. The claim is false.
(This story was originally published by newsmeter.in, and republished by english.varthabharati.in as part of the Shakti Collective)
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Metal debris found in Amritsar village; locals claim missile parts
Amritsar, May 8 (PTI): Metal debris was found scattered at some places in a village in Amritsar district on Thursday, with some locals claiming them to be parts of a missile.
Police said the objects can be identified only after an investigation.
The villagers said they found the metal parts in some open fields and houses at Jethuwal village in the district.
No damage was caused to any property, they said.
Upon finding the debris, the locals contacted the police, who further informed the Army.
The Amritsar district administration carried out a blackout drill in the early hours of Thursday, urging residents to remain indoors and not panic.
The drill that began around 1.30 am was the second in the district in three hours. The first one was conducted from 10:30 pm to 11 pm on Wednesday.
Several districts across the country conducted mock drills on Wednesday after the Indian military targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under 'Operation Sindoor' launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
The armed forces struck nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.
