Deepfake scams hit Singapore as fake PM Lawrence Wong’s videos praising crypto circulated online. The videos show him endorsing crypto, get-rich-quick schemes, and services that claim to help people get permanent residency in Singapore.
On Friday, the Prime Minister issued a public warning about scams. He said he had seen fraudulent ads while browsing his social network and urged people not to engage with them and not to disclose identifying information. Those who have been affected should alert or file a police report.
These types of synthetic scams leverage AI (artificial intelligence) to generate phony videos that look and sound real. They take footage of a public figure already existing and artificially change their facial expression and voice to say words they never uttered.
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The goal is to fool people into believing trusted leaders endorse financial investments or get-rich-quick schemes. Once they act, they either pour money or personal information into the scheme, thinking it’s a real opportunity.
Hackers also targeted former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong while he was in office
Wong is not the only Singaporean leader who a deepfake scam has targeted. In December 2023, while he was still the Deputy Prime Minister, a deepfake video of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong circulated online.
The video was based on a real interview, but the scammers altered his mouth movements and replaced his voice with an artificial intelligence version. It featured him promoting a cryptocurrency investment during what appeared to be an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
However, the media company soon clarified that it had nothing to do with the fake video. Lee said he alerted the police and told the public about the scam.
This video was falsified, but it looked real enough that some were fooled. Lee responded to the scam on Facebook. He said the fake video had been created using an artificial intelligence technique. “Do not fall prey to these scams and report any questionable content on ScamShield,” he added.
One type of fraud using deepfakes is increasing, and they can be hard to spot. The technology that powers them is advancing rapidly, making phony videos look only more convincing. Most humans (even expert video forensic analysts) cannot distinguish between a real video and a deepfake.
With social media and messaging apps, scam artists disseminated fake videos as widely as possible before they were pulled down. By the time a scam is reported, countless individuals may have already been deceived.
Apart from the monetary damage, deepfake scams lead to confusion and undermine trust. Legitimate coverage may be questioned — creating a sense of doubt. People who get outsmarted by false endorsements can lose money — big time.
Victims might think they are investing in a legitimate opportunity when, in fact, they are sending cash to criminals. Standing up against these misleading practices is an important way for leaders and public figures to help guide the fight against misinformation and defend the public.
Singaporean authorities have been alerted to deepfake scams. Officials have issued warnings about these scams, and people have been taught how to spot fake videos. Law enforcement has been scrambling to come up with ways to quickly recognize and stop deepfake scams.
Things are moving so fast that researchers are developing artificial intelligence tools to detect altered videos before they go viral. The United States has also passed tougher laws punishing scammers and cracking down aggressively on fraudulent content.
Lee said Singaporeans must continue to remain alert. If they see an offer in a video, especially from a well-known leader, they must verify whether it’s true. Videos should be used to verify claims from official government or sanctioned news sites.
Anyone who sees a suspect video has been advised to report it immediately. Avoiding questionable links and being skeptical of claims that seem “too good to be true” can help prevent you from falling for these scams.
Deepfake scams are a new menace. Con artists are increasingly using advanced artificial intelligence technology to create video clips that look alarmingly realistic.
The problem has become so extreme that two recent cases involving Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong illustrate how critical it has become. The authorities are trying to control these types of scams, but citizens are advised to exercise caution. The best way to avoid becoming a target is to be aware and cautious.
