Neelofa, Pak Nil hit by AI deepfakes promoting online gambling scams

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Gambling syndicates are now exploiting artificial intelligence (AI) to create deepfake videos and images of local celebrities in order to promote online gambling applications and maximise profits.
The syndicates use AI-generated visuals and audio to mimic public figures, spreading convincing fake promotional content to deceive the public.
Television host and entrepreneur Neelofa is among the celebrities affected by this latest scam.
Neelofa, whose real name is Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, 36, said she was shocked to learn that certain parties had taken advantage of her by creating a fake video of her promoting online gambling, clearly with malicious intent to mislead the public.
"To date, I've not received any complaints from victims who were scammed by these gambling syndicates.
"However, I've been alerted to other instances where my voice and face were used to promote lingerie products.
"The dialogue in those videos wasn't even mine. Several people asked me about the product, and I told them not to believe it. It was clearly fake," she said.
Neelofa said she had come to terms with the reality that such technological abuse is one of the challenges of the digital age.
She acknowledged that scammers and fraud syndicates would continue to exploit any opportunity that could bring financial gain.
"They are capitalising on celebrity content and public trust," she said.
The misuse, she added, could negatively impact her reputation, especially given her public image and her status as the wife of celebrity preacher Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail, better known as PU Riz.
Nonetheless, the mother of two believes the public is becoming increasingly tech-savvy and able to differentiate between genuine and fake content.
She urged people not to be easily swayed by social media promotions and advised them to take time to verify the authenticity of any content they come across.
Meanwhile, popular television personality Datuk Aznil Nawawi, or Pak Nil, has also been targeted by scammers.
Aznil said numerous people had contacted him to verify the legitimacy of videos showing him endorsing gambling activities and questionable products or services.
"I've received many reports. Some people used my image to sell dubious goods.
"What's more worrying is that they used AI to clone my voice and produce fake promotional videos.
"One complaint I received involved the sale of health socks on Facebook. They edited a photo of me holding the product, but buyers later claimed it didn't function as advertised," he said.
Aznil added that although he had reported the scams to social media platforms following complaints from his followers, the fraudulent use of his image and voice continued.
He expressed concern over the widespread use of deepfakes and the lack of effective enforcement to curb such activities.
"I'm saddened and demoralised that this continues to happen. But I trust the public can judge for themselves, and I hope no one falls for these scams," he said.
He also urged victims to lodge police reports and reminded the public to be extra cautious and to verify content before believing or sharing it.