AI Deepfake Scam Impersonates Pierce Brosnan, Defrauds Art Gallery and Fans

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A scammer used AI-generated deepfake voice and video to impersonate actor Pierce Brosnan, convincing art gallery owner Simone Simms to promote a fake exhibition and sell tickets. The deception led to financial losses for both the gallery and fans, highlighting the risks of AI-enabled impersonation scams.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The event describes an elaborate scam using AI-generated deepfake video and voice to impersonate Pierce Brosnan, leading to financial loss for the gallery owner and ticket buyers. The AI system's use was central to the deception and harm caused. The harm is realized (financial loss), and the AI system's involvement is direct in enabling the scam. Hence, this is an AI Incident.[AI generated]
AI principles
AccountabilityPrivacy & data governanceRespect of human rightsRobustness & digital securitySafetyTransparency & explainabilityHuman wellbeing
Industries
Arts, entertainment, and recreationMedia, social platforms, and marketingDigital security
Affected stakeholders
BusinessConsumers
Harm types
Economic/PropertyReputationalHuman or fundamental rights
Severity
AI incident
Business function:
Marketing and advertisementSales
AI system task:
Content generation

Articles about this incident or hazard

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'Scammed' gallery owner shares 'Pierce Brosnan' voice note

2023-11-19
Nottingham Post
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event describes an elaborate scam using AI-generated deepfake video and voice to impersonate Pierce Brosnan, leading to financial loss for the gallery owner and ticket buyers. The AI system's use was central to the deception and harm caused. The harm is realized (financial loss), and the AI system's involvement is direct in enabling the scam. Hence, this is an AI Incident.
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Art gallery owner is facing the wrath of Pierce Brosnan fans

2023-11-19
Daily Mail Online
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event describes a scam involving AI-generated deepfake voice messages and video calls impersonating Pierce Brosnan, which led to the sale of fake exhibition tickets. This caused financial harm to the gallery owner and the fans who bought tickets, fulfilling the criteria for an AI Incident due to direct harm caused by the AI system's misuse. The harm includes financial loss and reputational damage, and the AI system's role is pivotal in enabling the scam.
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I was scammed out of £1,000s by sick Pierce Brosnan 'deep fake' AI tech

2023-11-21
The Scottish Sun
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event clearly involves an AI system (deepfake AI technology) used in a malicious way to impersonate Pierce Brosnan, which directly led to financial harm (scam victims losing money). The AI-generated voice and video messages were pivotal in enabling the scam. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident because the AI system's use directly caused harm to people (financial loss) and communities (scammed fans).