AI-Generated Deepfake Scam Impersonates Spanish TV Host Pablo Motos

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AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating Spanish TV host Pablo Motos have been used in online investment scams, leading to significant financial losses for victims. Motos publicly denounced the fraud and criticized major tech platforms for inadequate action in preventing the spread of such AI-driven scams in Spain.[AI generated]

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

The article explicitly mentions AI-generated videos impersonating a public figure to scam people, resulting in significant financial losses (harm to people). The AI system's use in generating fake videos is central to the harm. This fits the definition of an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly led to harm (financial loss to victims). The involvement of AI in the scam and the resulting harm is clear and direct, not merely potential or speculative.[AI generated]
AI principles
Transparency & explainabilityAccountability
Industries
Media, social platforms, and marketingFinancial and insurance services
Affected stakeholders
Consumers
Harm types
Economic/PropertyReputational
Severity
AI incident
AI system task:
Content generation

Articles about this incident or hazard

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Pablo Motos denuncia el uso de su imagen para una estafa y ataca a las "grandes tecnológicas": "Son cómplices"

2026-03-06
MARCA
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The article explicitly mentions AI-generated videos impersonating a public figure to scam people, resulting in significant financial losses (harm to people). The AI system's use in generating fake videos is central to the harm. This fits the definition of an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly led to harm (financial loss to victims). The involvement of AI in the scam and the resulting harm is clear and direct, not merely potential or speculative.
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"Ya está bien": Pablo Motos estalla en 'El hormiguero' contra la última estafa que utiliza su imagen, con inteligencia artificial

2026-03-06
El Confidencial
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The article explicitly mentions the use of AI to create a fake video of Pablo Motos making false promises to generate money quickly, which is a scam causing financial harm to victims. The AI system's use in generating the deepfake video is central to the harm. The harm is realized (people lose money), and the event involves malicious use of AI-generated content. Hence, it meets the criteria for an AI Incident involving violation of rights and harm to people through fraud.
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Pablo Motos denuncia una estafa con Inteligencia Artificial que suplanta su imagen: "Las grandes tecnológicas son cómplices"

2026-03-06
LaVanguardia
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The article explicitly mentions AI-generated videos impersonating Pablo Motos to scam people, leading to financial losses. This constitutes direct harm to individuals (financial harm) caused by the use of AI systems (deepfake generation). The event involves the misuse of AI technology to commit fraud, fulfilling the criteria for an AI Incident under harm category (e) - other significant, clearly articulated harms where AI's role is pivotal. Therefore, this event is classified as an AI Incident.
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Pablo Motos denuncia una estafa sobre inversiones en el que usan un vídeo creado por IA: 'Hay gente que ha perdido un millón de euros'

2026-03-06
El Periódico
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event explicitly involves an AI system generating a manipulated video (an AI-generated avatar) that impersonates Pablo Motos to promote a fraudulent investment scheme. This use of AI directly caused harm by misleading victims and resulting in financial losses, including losses exceeding one million euros. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident due to the direct harm caused by the AI system's use in the scam.
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"Ya está bien": Pablo Motos estalla contra las grandes tecnológicas tras la nueva estafa que usa su imagen

2026-03-08
Antena3
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system generating a deepfake video that is used to scam people, directly causing financial harm to victims. This fits the definition of an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly led to harm to people. The mention of the platforms' inadequate response further supports the incident classification rather than a mere hazard or complementary information. Therefore, this is an AI Incident involving harm to people through AI-generated fraudulent content.