AI-generated videos of President, PM used in financial fraud scam

Sri Lanka CERT has issued a stark warning about a burgeoning scam that employs artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos of prominent figures, including the President and Prime Minister, for fraudulent financial schemes. The Computer Emergency Response Team of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka CERT) revealed that it has received numerous complaints regarding these fabricated videos circulating online.

The sophisticated deepfake videos falsely show President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, along with other notable individuals, soliciting money. These videos are crafted to appear as if the leaders are urging viewers to invest their money in exchange for promised monthly returns. This deceptive tactic aims to exploit the public's trust in these figures to perpetrate financial fraud.

Sri Lanka CERT is urging the public to exercise extreme caution and not fall prey to these manipulated videos. The scam extends beyond soliciting investments; these AI-generated creations have also been used to spread false news about investment opportunities, job openings, and even the country's economic and tax policies. The perpetrators are using the likenesses of famous athletes and other public figures to lend credibility to their fraudulent schemes.

These deceptive videos are being disseminated across the internet, often accompanied by links that direct users to fake websites. Once on these sites, victims are prompted to invest money, leading to the theft of their personal information and funds. Sri Lanka CERT implores the public to be vigilant against such fabricated content and to refrain from sharing personal data or financial information through suspicious links, thereby preventing themselves from becoming victims of these digital scams.