Deepfake Anthony Albanese used in celebrity scams duping Australians out of $7.4m, Asic warns
Australia's corporate regulator has warned of a sharp rise in deepfake scams using the likeness of public figures, particularly Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, to promote fraudulent investment schemes. The scams have cost Australians at least $7.4 million.
Why this matters: Deepfakes have moved from a theoretical threat to a practical fraud tool, and regulators are struggling to keep up. Ordinary people are losing real money because they trust a face they recognize. That trust is now a liability. When anyone's likeness can be weaponized to sell a scam, the burden falls on platforms to stop the spread before victims click. Right now that burden mostly falls on the victims instead.
Who should care: General readers · AI governance · Policy
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