Hong Kong Government Warns of AI-Generated Scams

Hong Kong government has issued a fresh warning to residents against the rise of AI-generated scams. This comes after images of the city’s Chief Executive, John Lee Ka, were deep-faked by scammers to promote a dubious investment scam.

Hong Kong Gov’t Issues Warning Against AI-Generated Scams

The government condemned the act, warning the public not to easily fall for such promotions or provide personal information, as the video was “fictitious with fraudulent intent.”

“Members of the public should not be taken in by similar investment-related advertisements or promotional videos,” a spokesperson for the government stated. “They should not provide their personal information online, sign up for mobile applications or open any links.”

Over the recent months, AI has garnered a lot of attention around the world, following the popularity of tools like ChatGPT and other generative tools. However, the immense potential of the tools has equally left room for potential misuse by scammers, with one instance being deepfakes. 

Deepfakes are AI-generated videos or audio recordings that manipulate the appearance or voice of a target person. By stitching together existing footage and audio with cutting-edge algorithms, scammers can create convincing simulations that make it appear as if a celebrity, politician, or other trusted figure is endorsing a product, promoting a cryptocurrency scheme, or even delivering a personal message.

Scammers are Weaponizing AI

Scammers are increasingly weaponizing AI to create deepfakes, capitalizing on the inherent human tendency to trust familiar faces and voices. The consequences are far-reaching, eroding trust in public figures, sowing discord in online communities, and causing significant financial losses for unsuspecting victims.

SCMP reported a victim in Japan who lost HK$1,700 (US$218) worth of computer game credits after being deceived by the fake video. In 2022, scammers attempted to lure people into a suspicious trading platform using images and fabricated images of Lee, according to SCMP.