Nifty Smallcap 100 Plunges to 14,986 Low: Why Mid- and Small-Caps Are Crashing Harder Than the Market in March 2026

  The Indian stock market witnessed intense selling pressure on March 23, 2026, as mid- and small-cap indices tumbled over 4% amid a broader market crash driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Nifty Midcap 100 index has now declined around 13% year-to-date in 2026, reflecting sharp corrections in broader market segments that have outperformed in previous years but are now facing heightened volatility. Sharp Intraday Declines in Midcap and Smallcap Indices The Nifty Smallcap 100 index opened at 15,565.30 on Monday but quickly slipped to an intraday low of 14,986, erasing significant ground in early trade. By the afternoon session, the selling intensified, with the index down over 4% at points during the day. Market breadth was overwhelmingly negative—except for isolated performers like Trident (up around 2.85%), virtually every stock in the Nifty Smallcap 100 traded in the red, signaling widespread panic across smaller companies. Similarly, the Nifty M...
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Beware of Deepfake Scams Using Nirmala Sitharaman's Image on Facebook

 

Imagine scrolling through your Facebook feed and stumbling across a polished video of India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, promising a life-changing investment opportunity: just ₹21,000 to earn ₹15 lakh in a month or even ₹20 lakh monthly. It sounds too good to be true—and it is. This is no government-backed scheme but a cunning deepfake scam designed to exploit trust and drain savings.

it's a deepfake video scam designed to trick people into losing their money. Sitharaman has never endorsed any such scheme, and the government has repeatedly warned against it.

How the Scam Works

  • The Bait: Scammers create AI-generated (deepfake) videos that superimpose Sitharaman's face and voice onto real footage of her speeches or press conferences. In these videos, she appears to announce a "government-backed income-generating project" (often called "QuantumAl" or similar fake names). They promise unrealistic returns: invest ₹21,000 initially, and get daily profits of ₹60,000 or monthly earnings up to ₹20 lakh.
  • The Hook: Victims are directed to fake websites or apps to "register" and transfer money via UPI or bank details. Once you pay, the scammers disappear, or they pressure you for more "fees" to "unlock" profits.
  • Real Victims: This has duped many, including a 71-year-old doctor in Hyderabad who lost over ₹20 lakh after seeing one such video in March 2025. Another case involved a worker in Andhra Pradesh who invested ₹21,000 after falling for a Facebook ad featuring morphed celebrity videos.

Evidence It's Fake

  • Government Alerts: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit has debunked multiple versions of this since at least November 2024. They confirm no such project exists, and Sitharaman's original speeches (e.g., on economic policies) have been manipulated—no mention of investments or trading platforms.
  • Technical Proof: Fact-checking sites like Factly and CyberPeace used AI detection tools (e.g., Hive Moderators) to analyze the videos. They show clear signs of alteration: mismatched lip-sync, unnatural facial movements, and audio edits. The ₹21,000 figure is a common "entry-level" lure in similar scams.
  • No Official Endorsement: Sitharaman has actually posted warnings about investment frauds on her official X account, urging people not to fall for "Paisa Double" schemes or fake UPI promises.

What to Do If You've Seen or Fallen For It

  1. Don't Engage: Ignore any links, apps, or calls promising quick riches. Report the post/video on Facebook immediately (use the "Report" button and select "Scam or Fraud").
  2. Verify Yourself: Check official sources like pib.gov.in/factcheck or the RBI website for real investment advice. Legitimate schemes never promise guaranteed high returns.
  3. If You've Lost Money:
    • File a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) within 24 hours.
    • Contact your bank to freeze transactions and report to the police.
    • Helpline: Cyber Crime Helpline 1930.
  4. Protect Yourself:
    • Use antivirus apps that detect deepfakes.
    • Avoid sharing personal/financial details online.
    • Educate family, especially seniors, as they're common targets.

This scam exploits trust in public figures to steal savings—stay vigilant!

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