Scammers are using an AI-generated deepfake video of Martin Lewis to persuade people to give them money.
The MoneySavingExpert founder said the video was frightening and urged the government to take immediate action to regulate deepfake media.
Here’s what you need to know.
What does the fake video show?
WARNING. THIS IS A SCAM BY CRIMINALS TRYING TO STEAL MONEY. PLS SHARE.
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) July 6, 2023
This is frightening, it's the first deep fake video scam I've seen with me in it. Govt & regulators must step up to stop big tech publishing such dangerous fakes. People'll lose money and it'll ruin lives. https://t.co/ZzaBELg1kg
The video uses artificial intelligence to replicate Martin’s face and voice, supposedly to promote an app that is linked with Tesla and Twitter owner Elon Musk. A clip shared to Twitter of the scam shows a deepfake of Mr Lewis next to a picture of Mr Musk. It shows Martin sitting in his office, talking about an investment in something called Quantum AI, which is labelled as Elon Musk’s new project.
“Elon Musk presented his new project in which he has already invested more than $3bn (£2.4bn),” the deepfake of Mr Lewis said. “Musk’s new project opens up great investment opportunities for British citizens. No project has ever given such opportunities to residents of the country.
“Given the interesting features of the app and, having seen how it works, we think it’s safe to say that the experience is legitimate.”
There is a caption which uses lettering similar to the This Morning show, which Martin appears on regularly.
The video first appeared on Facebook but there have been additional reports of it circulating on Instagram.
Martin is warning anyone who sees the video that it is an attempt by criminals to steal their money.
Responding to the video on Twitter, Mr Lewis wrote: “WARNING. THIS IS A SCAM BY CRIMINALS TRYING TO STEAL MONEY. PLS SHARE.
“This is frightening, it’s the first deep fake video scam I’ve seen with me in it. Govt & regulators must step up to stop big tech publishing such dangerous fakes. People’ll lose money and it’ll ruin lives.”
What should I do if I see the fake Martin Lewis post?
THIS IS A SCAM
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 7, 2023
'We are in a dangerous dystopian future.'
Scammers are using an AI–generated 'deepfake' video of @MartinSLewis to convince victims to part with their money.
Martin has warned lives could be ruined unless this is stopped. pic.twitter.com/6LMAbTdC3w
Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Mr Lewis said: “This is a deepfake. I mean they’ve put it together, we’re not quite sure of the exact tech. This is going around on Facebook at the moment and this, as far as I know, is the first deepfake scam advert that we’ve seen.
“It’s certainly the first with me in. It’s an absolutely terrifying development. This is still only early stages of the technology and they are only going to get better.”
According to the MoneySavingExpert website, if you see the post online being shared by someone, you should let them know it’s a scam and that it is fake.
Plenty of people fall for scams, and Mr Lewis never does adverts or promotes investments.
If you receive a message similar to the one described, do not engage with it in any way, and report it to Action Fraud.
