Fraudsters use AI to clone leaders in major investment scam
Fraudsters use AI to clone leaders in major investment scam, CSA advises how to spot deepfakes
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued a public warning over a surge in sophisticated AI-generated deepfake videos featuring prominent Ghanaian figures promoting fraudulent investment schemes and unapproved drugs.
In an official alert, the Authority stated it has observed a “disturbing rise” in the circulation of these fabricated videos. The fakes convincingly mimic the appearance and voice of publicly exposed persons, including the President, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, and well-known media personalities, to endorse what it calls “false investment schemes” and “unapproved medical products.”
According to the CSA, the threat actors behind the scam predominantly use social media, especially Facebook, to circulate the content. The modus operandi involves promising “unrealistic or guaranteed high returns on investments that are entirely fake,” pressuring victims to transfer money.
Other videos advertise “‘miracle cures’ or unapproved medications,” which pose dangerous health risks and are often designed to steal personal and financial information.
To help the public identify these forgeries, the Authority advises citizens to look for tell-tale signs of deepfakes. These red flags include “mismatched lip movements with the audio, unnatural eye movements or blinking, a robotic or overly polished voice,” and “unusual lighting, shadows, or background inconsistencies.”
The CSA strongly recommends that the public “do not trust promotional videos that claim to feature national leaders or officials without verifying from official sources.” It further cautions against sending “seed money or personal information in response to an advertisement or message without confirming its authenticity,” urging Ghanaians to verify all such claims with regulators like the Bank of Ghana or the Food and Drugs Authority.
The Authority confirmed it is “working closely with social media platforms, law enforcement, and relevant government institutions to identify and remove these malicious videos and hold perpetrators accountable.”
The public can report incidents and seek guidance through the CSA’s 24-hour point of contact on 292 (call or text), WhatsApp (0501603111), or email at report@csa.gov.gh.
