Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Claim
Audio notes of MVA leaders Supriya Sule and Nana Patole, and former Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta regarding Bitcoins linked to a 2018 Cryptocurrency fraud case.
Fact
While detection tools concluded a high probability of the alleged audios of Sule, Gupta being AI generated, that of Patole remained inconclusive.
A day before the Maharashtra Assembly Polls, former-IPS officer from Pune, Ravindranath Patil stirred up a political storm by accusing NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole in a 2018 Cryptocurrency Fraud Case.
Patil alleged that the then Commissioner of Police for Pune, Amitabh Gupta and Bhagyashri Nautake, then DCP in the Cyber Crime Investigations were involved in the misappropriation of Bitcoins, which were eventually used by the two politicians. He claimed that the Bitcoins were used in election linked activities.
Multiple purported audio notes of Sule, Patole, Gupta and one ‘Gaurav Mehta,’ allegedly an employee with an audit firm, have since gone viral online with users claiming to “expose” the politicians. The BJP was also quick to attack the MVA over the allegations, and presented the same alleged audio notes.
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
We investigated the audio notes one-by-one.
Audio 1: Claims, ‘Supriya Sule Asks To Encash Bitcoins For Elections’
Multiple detection tools indicated a high probability of the viral audio of Sule asking Mehta to encash Bitcoins to be an AI generated content. Our full fact check on the same can be seen here.
Audio 2: Claims, ‘Gaurav Mehta Speaks To Amitabh Gupta’
The Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU), of The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA), of which Newschecker is a part, ranthe viral audio through multiple detection tools to ascertain its authenticity.
Hiya AI Voice Detection tool stated that the “voice seems to be AI generated.” Adding, “there is a 14% match with live human markers.”
DAU checked the audio on True Media which showed “substantial evidence of manipulation.” Hive’s audio detector also indicated substantial evidence of AI tampering in the audio track.
Audio 3: Claims, ‘Amitabh Gupta Instructs Gaurav Mehta’
On carefully analysing the viral clip, we found the pronunciation of Indian names such as “Lakshmi,” and “Bhagyashree” odd.
The Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU) also checked the viral audio on multiple AI detection platforms. Hiya AI Voice Detection tool found the voice seemingly “AI generated,” and concluded that “there is a 4% match with live human markers.”
Another detection tool, True Media also indicated “substantial evidence of manipulation” in the viral audio note. Hive’s audio detector also concluded the presence of AI elements in the same.
Audio 4: Claims, ‘Nana Patole Demands Money From Amitabh Gupta’
We ran past the audio note on multiple AI detection tools, however, did not find a conclusive result. The audio clip is extremely short and could be the reason behind the tools not being able to trace any sign of manipulation.
Patole has refuted the allegations, and clarified that his voice is not heard in the viral clip. “The IPS officer brought by BJP, Ravindra Patil is not even an IPS officer. BJP has become a party of lies. On the eve of elections, they are doing all this. My voice is not there in the audio. I am a farming man; I don’t even understand Bitcoin,” the Maharashtra Congress Chief reportedly said.
Conclusion
Though the alleged Nana Patole’s audio note remained inconclusive, multiple tools concluded that there was a high probability of the other three voice clips being AI generated.
Result: Altered Photo/Video
Sources
Hiya AI Voice Detection Tool
True Media Website
Hive Tool
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
