Deepfake Videos of Public Figures Promoting Scams
Fake videos of presidents, billionaires, news presenters and celebrities promoting trading platforms and giveaways. How deepfake endorsement scams work and how to spot them.
A well-known business leader explains in a video that a new AI trading platform made him rich and that ordinary people can start with a small deposit. A national news presenter "interviews" a celebrity about a secret investment the banks do not want you to know about. The faces and voices look real. They are deepfakes, and they drive some of the most costly investment scams today.
How deepfake endorsement scams work
- The fake video: AI-generated or edited footage of a public figure promoting a platform, giveaway or product.
- The distribution: social media adverts, sponsored posts, fake news articles and video platforms.
- The landing page: a site that copies a famous news outlet's design, with the story and a sign-up form.
- The call: after you sign up, an "account manager" calls to help you deposit.
- The platform: fake profits encourage larger deposits; withdrawals are blocked. See fake trading platforms.
Public figures do not promote guaranteed-return platforms in adverts. Treat any video of a famous person endorsing an investment or giveaway as fake until proven otherwise.
Signs a video may be a deepfake
- Lips slightly out of sync with the words.
- Unnatural blinking, stiff expressions or odd lighting on the face.
- A voice that sounds flat, robotic or oddly paced.
- Blurring around the face, teeth or hands, especially when the person moves.
- An unusual message for that person: urging you to invest quickly, criticising banks, promising guaranteed returns.
These signs are becoming harder to see as tools improve. Our guide on how to spot AI-generated scams explains why checking the claim beats studying the video.
How to check the claim
- Look for the story on the official website of the broadcaster or newspaper, by typing its address yourself.
- Check the public figure's official accounts. Many have publicly warned about fake endorsements.
- Check the platform on your financial regulator's official register and warning list.
- Search the platform name with "scam".
- Extraordinary guaranteed returns.
- "Banks are furious" and a deadline to create urgency.
- An advert, not a story on a real news website.
If you have signed up or deposited
- Stop depositing, and do not install remote access apps the "account manager" suggests.
- Contact your bank or card issuer immediately.
- Expect persistent calls; block the numbers.
- Report the ad to the platform and the scam to your national service.
- Beware of recovery scams.
Seen an ad with a famous face? Paste the link or a screenshot into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check.
Deepfake endorsements often run through scam ads and celebrity impersonation. For more, read the complete guide to online scams.
Frequently asked questions
Why would a famous person appear to recommend a trading platform?
They usually have not. Scammers use AI to create fake video or audio, or edit real interviews, to make it look as if a trusted figure is endorsing their platform.
The video is on a news website. Is it real?
Scammers build fake news pages that copy the look of real broadcasters and newspapers. Check the web address, and look for the story on the broadcaster's official website.
How can I report a deepfake ad?
Use the report option on the advert or post on the platform, and report the scam to your national service. You can also let the person or organization being impersonated know.
Sources
- Investment Scams, US Federal Trade Commission
- Are ads on social media vetted or checked for scams? Here's what to know, US Federal Trade Commission
- ScamSmart, UK Financial Conduct Authority
