Latest news with #Runner
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
My mum's being scammed by AI deepfake of ‘Owen Wilson' who paid her £7 to ‘prove' his identity – would you fall for it?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN is seeking help after noticing her mum fall for an AI deepfake scam of Owen Wilson. The woman was sure it was easy to spot it was fake, but can you tell from watching the video above? Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The mum was convinced she now had the actor as an online friend Credit: Getty 4 Can you spot what's wrong with the video? Credit: Reddit 4 The Hollywood actor is currently filming in Australia Credit: Getty The unnamed woman took to Reddit, revealing both she and her sister had failed to convince her mum that the man she was chatting to was not the real actor. According to her mum, she had met Owen while playing an online game of Yahtzee. She decided to share the AI deepfake video her mum had been sent by 'Owen Wilson' with the title 'Owen Wilson befriended my mother.' The Reddit user said she tried to convince her mum that it was the work of artificial intelligence after finding a 'plethora of red flags', such as the man mainly contacting her mother via WhatsApp voice calls. In the 10-second clip, the robotic image of a man resembling Owen Wilson seemed to speak directly to the poster's mother. "I'm making this video so you know I'm real," said the 'scam' actor. "I'd never do anything to hurt you. I respect you for your patience and understanding since we crossed paths. You're an amazing woman." Some viewers were quick to point out that the video looked off, with the image never making eye contact. Things had taken a weirder turn when he offered a 'job' with Warner Bros and paid her £7 for her work. The daughter added: "He 'got her a job' with Warner Bros where she can make $5000 a month but liking social media posts. The job has sent her a couple $10 payments through Cashapp for her first trainings. "She says they'll send her $1,000 through CashApp when she finishes training." The 'fake' Owen Wilson then proposed that the poster's parents move into a new house he bought so that they could keep watch as 'caretakers' while he was away working. 4 Her daughter was eager to show her mum it wasn't real Credit: Reddit Fears AI will destroy entire justice system by sending innocent people to JAIL with fake CCTV evidence & deepfakes Currently, the 56-year-old is in Australia filming his latest action thriller, Runner. She added: "He's now buying a house in our small coastal town & wants her AND MY DAD to live there & be caretakers when he's not there. He had an actual realtor from this gated community call her to discuss their options. "We believe this part because the realtor mentioned my sister in law's mother's uncommon name(we have no connection to her on social media) when my mother brought up my brother's wedding reception being held in the neighborhood." How to protect yourself from scams BY keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid getting caught up in a scam: Firstly, remember that if something seems too good to be true, it normally is. Check brands are "verified" on Facebook and Twitter pages - this means the company will have a blue tick on its profile. Look for grammatical and spelling errors; fraudsters are notoriously bad at writing proper English. If you receive a message from a 'friend' informing you of a freebie, consider whether it's written in your friend's normal style. If you're invited to click on a URL, hover over the link to see the address it will take you to – does it look genuine? To be on the really safe side, don't click on unsolicited links in messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted contact. Be careful when opening email attachments too. Fraudsters are increasingly attaching files, usually PDFs or spreadsheets, which contain dangerous malware. If you receive a suspicious message then report it to the company, block the sender and delete it. If you think you've fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use its online fraud reporting tool. She concluded her post by asking fellow users for advice to prove to her mum it was a scam. One person wrote: "Wow that's scary, you can tell the tone is off and robotic. Face also looks slightly different than Owen but wow, that's crazy for someone who wouldn't know any better." Another commented: 'Jesus Christ. What a frustrating situation. Be careful not to alienate her. It can make these situations more difficult." "Tell her to watch his nose lol," penned a third. Meanwhile, a fourth said: "This AI doesn't even use the lady's name at all, just generic "compliments" to keep the target complacent. Wonder how many targets they've sent this to that the celebrity "really" loves them. Don't trust online, meet in real life and then judge based on that meeting." "It's not Owen Wilson. As mentioned elsewhere, the voice is robotic and look at his face. He's all over the place and he never called her by her name. Because the scammer had another 1000 victims to play,' claimed a fifth. Someone else added: 'This is wild! Gosh, keep looking out for her. It's unfortunate how advanced these scams have gotten." Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@ and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
My mum's being scammed by AI deepfake of ‘Owen Wilson' who paid her £7 to ‘prove' his identity – would you fall for it?
A WOMAN is seeking help after noticing her mum fall for an AI deepfake scam of Owen Wilson. The woman was sure it was easy to Advertisement 4 The mum was convinced she now had the actor as an online friend Credit: Getty 4 Can you spot what's wrong with the video? Credit: Reddit 4 The Hollywood actor is currently filming in Australia Credit: Getty The unnamed woman took to Reddit, revealing both she and her sister had failed to convince her mum that the man she was chatting to was not the real actor. According to her mum, she had met Owen while playing an online game of Yahtzee. She decided to share the The Reddit user said she tried to convince her mum that it was the work of artificial intelligence after finding a 'plethora of red flags', such as the man mainly contacting her mother via WhatsApp voice calls. Advertisement READ MORE REAL LIFE STORIES In the 10-second clip, the robotic image of a man resembling Owen Wilson seemed to speak directly to the poster's mother. "I'm making this video so you know I'm real," said the 'scam' actor. "I'd never do anything to hurt you. I respect you for your patience and understanding since we crossed paths. You're an amazing woman." Some viewers were quick to point out that the video looked off, with the image never making eye contact. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Things had taken a weirder turn when he offered a 'job' with Warner Bros and paid her £7 for her work. The daughter added: "He 'got her a job' with Warner Bros where she can make $5000 a month but liking social media posts. The job has sent her a couple $10 payments through Cashapp for her first trainings. "She says they'll send her $1,000 through CashApp when she finishes training." The 'fake' Owen Wilson then proposed that the poster's parents move into a new house he bought so that they could keep watch as 'caretakers' while he was away working. Advertisement 4 Her daughter was eager to show her mum it wasn't real Credit: Reddit Fears AI will destroy entire justice system by sending innocent people to JAIL with fake CCTV evidence & deepfakes Currently, the 56-year-old is in Australia filming his latest action thriller, Runner. She added: "He's now buying a house in our small coastal town & wants her AND MY DAD to live there & be caretakers when he's not there. He had an actual realtor from this gated community call her to discuss their options. "We believe this part because the realtor mentioned my sister in law's mother's uncommon name(we have no connection to her on social media) when my mother brought up my brother's wedding reception being held in the neighborhood." Advertisement How to protect yourself from scams BY keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid getting caught up in a scam: Firstly, remember that if something seems too good to be true, it normally is. Check brands are "verified" on Facebook and Twitter pages - this means the company will have a blue tick on its profile. Look for grammatical and spelling errors; fraudsters are notoriously bad at writing proper English. If you receive a message from a 'friend' informing you of a freebie, consider whether it's written in your friend's normal style. If you're invited to click on a URL, hover over the link to see the address it will take you to – does it look genuine? To be on the really safe side, don't click on unsolicited links in messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted contact. Be careful when opening email attachments too. Fraudsters are increasingly attaching files, usually PDFs or spreadsheets, which contain dangerous malware. If you receive a suspicious message then report it to the company, block the sender and delete it. If you think you've fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use its She concluded her One person wrote: "Wow that's scary, you can tell the tone is off and robotic. Face also looks slightly different than Owen but wow, that's crazy for someone who wouldn't know any better." Another commented: 'Jesus Christ. What a frustrating situation. Be careful not to alienate her. It can make these situations more difficult." "Tell her to watch his nose lol," penned a third. Advertisement Meanwhile, a fourth said: "This AI doesn't even use the lady's name at all, just generic "compliments" to keep the target complacent. Wonder how many targets they've sent this to that the celebrity "really" loves them. Don't trust online, meet in real life and then judge based on that meeting." "It's not Owen Wilson. As mentioned elsewhere, the voice is robotic and look at his face. He's all over the place and he never called her by her name. Because the scammer had another 1000 victims to play,' claimed a fifth. Someone else added: 'This is wild! Gosh, keep looking out for her. It's unfortunate how advanced these scams have gotten." Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@ and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line . Advertisement What are deepfakes? Here's what you need to know... Deepfakes use artificial intelligence and machine learning to produce face-swapped videos with barely any effort They can be used to create realistic videos that make celebrities appear as though they're saying something they didn't Deepfakes have also been used by sickos to make fake porn videos that feature the faces of celebrities or ex-lovers To create the videos, users first track down an XXX clip featuring a porn star that looks like an actress They then feed an app with hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of photos of the victim's face A machine learning algorithm swaps out the faces frame-by-frame until it spits out a realistic, but fake, video To help other users create these videos, pervs upload "facesets", which are huge computer folders filled with a celebrity's face that can be easily fed through the "deepfakes" app
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hollywood movie starring Owen Wilson leaves locals furious after road closures for film shoot cause major disruptions
A film shoot for a major Hollywood movie starring Owen Wilson has left Gold Coast locals frustrated following road closures and major disruptions to businesses. The Wedding Crashers star, 56, is currently Down Under shooting his latest action thriller Runner. The Gold Coast Bulletin reported residents in the suburb of Labrador were left fearful that their cars might be towed after production shut down Marine Parade, and they awoke to find tow trucks 'loaded with cars' on the suburban street. One resident, Emily Pickering, took to a local community Facebook group on Monday night to share an image that showed two tow trucks on the street - one loaded with a car. 'If your car is still parked on Marine Pde you're getting towed tonight by the looks of it, you might want to try go move your car quickly!' she wrote. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Tow trucks non-stop coming and going.' However, the publication reported that 'dozens' of cars were still parked on the road on Tuesday morning. A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson said that the production had informed locals of the road closure and warned them not to park on a 600-metre stretch of Marine Parade from 3pm on Monday afternoon. 'The Public Notification clearly stated where and when parking would be prohibited due to filming,' spokesperson said. 'Vehicles parked illegally in 'no parking' or 'no stopping' areas can be towed away at any time.' Further, local councillor Joe Wilkinson shared a reminder to his Facebook page on Monday, featuring a map of the affected area. 'Residents and businesses in the area should have received a letterbox drop and door knock from the production company by this stage, and VMS boards will be in place to keep everyone informed,' he wrote. 'Thank you for your patience and support as we showcase our beautiful city.' Traffic control officers told the publication that two cars had been moved to a side street while a member of the film crew said that the only cars towed were stunt and prop cars. The spokesperson added that police advised six affected residents to move their cars, and that one car was towed to a safe location. 'It was not impounded and the owner was notified of the location,' the spokesperson said. 'The production will cover the cost of the towing.' It comes after the production closed down major road in another Gold Coast suburb, Robina, on Monday, leaving local business owners furious. Local business owner Heleina Jacovide told the Gold Coast Bulletin said that she was annoyed at the closure of the stretch of Robina Parkway, claiming she had only been given a day's notice. 'We only got told on Friday. In that time we've had to contact all our clients, we've had cancellations. It definitely has impacted us and impacted the other businesses along here,' she said. Other business owners and employees also reported disruptions to trade as a result of the closure. Local councillor Dan Doran told the publication he had opposed the road closure over potential impact to local business. 'It was my view that it would cause too much disruption to locals, commuters and business, and that the notification period was too short,' he said. Owen is currently in Australia to film the action thriller Runner on the Gold Coast in Queensland. He will star alongside Reacher star Alan Ritchson, and play the role of Ben, a medical courier charged with transporting an organ for a life-saving transplant. Alan will portray Ben's begrudging bodyguard as the mission turns deadly when the leader of a crime syndicate becomes hell-bent on claiming the organ. The action drama will be helmed by Scott Waugh, who directed the 2014 clip Need for Speed and, more recently in 2023, Expendables 4.
NZ Autocar
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
2024 Volkswagen Transporter 6.1 Trendline SWB Review
It's time to have one last look at one of New Zealand's most popular European vans, the Volkswagen Transporter 6.1, before it exits the market. The Transporter nameplate celebrates its 75th birthday this year. The first-generation van, which shared its rear-mounted air-cooled engine and platform with the VW Beetle, first rolled off the production line in Wolfsburg in 1950. Two further generations of air-cooled Transporters followed from the Volkswagen Commercials plant in Hannover, until the arrival of the T4 in 1990. This saw the Transporter become a more contemporary two-box design with a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout, as well as optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. The subsequent T5, T6, and the facelift T6.1 series have continued the Transporter family of delivery vans, people movers, luxury shuttles and campers based on the one platform. This has been around since 2003, albeit with numerous changes to the body design, as well as updated engines and suspension components. The forthcoming T7 Transporter family has been co-developed with Ford in a similar vein to the Amarok. The van marks a significant transition for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, as it will be built in a Ford plant in Turkey, rather than Hannover. We've driven many iterations of the sixth-generation Transporter (T6) since it arrived in 2015, including the California Camper, the luxurious seven-seat Multivan and the panel van in both Runner and Trendline specifications. The updated T6.1 range arrived five years later in August 2020 which brought a raft of cosmetic changes and updates to the dashboard and cabin layout. Transporter T 6.1 pricing Volkswagen New Zealand has begun the run-out phase of the Transporter T6.1 with the entry level short wheelbase (SWB) Runner available from $53,880. The SWB Transporter Trendline as reviewed is available from $59,990 and the long wheelbase (LWB) Trendline is available from $63,039. List prices are currently $70,500, $78,000, and $80,500 respectively, so the run-out deal represents savings of up to $15,000. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles says this runout offer is only available on pre-registered stock. It includes a five-year/150,000km warranty (commencing from the first registration date), and a free Service Plan which includes three complimentary scheduled services (six-year/ 90,000km). Transporter T6.1 capability For basic delivery work the Transporter SWB Runner offers great value in a European light commercial package, but for anyone who will spend significant time in the T6.1, the upgrade to the Trendline is worth it. Not only does it get a few comfort upgrades and useful items like a rubber covered rear floor, it allows access options from the catalogue that aren't extended to the Runner. That load area itself is good with great access from both side doors, a low, flat entry from the rear, the rubber floor and plenty of tie-downs. You get 5.8 cubic metres of loading space in the SWB. Overall load length in the SWB is 2324mm measured at floor level, width is 1244mm between the wheelarches and 1700mm overall. Height is 1410mm. Overall load length in the long wheelbase Trendline is 2722mm which translates in a 6.7 cubic metre load space. Transporter T6.1 cabin The cabin will feel familiar to anyone who has driven any Volkswagen product in recent years, right down to the leather-covered three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. It's very passenger car-like with quality plastic finishes on the dashboard and door cards and lots of storage places inside the cabin. There's a folder holder on the top of the dashboard and there's a shelf section above the glovebox. There are cup holders on the dash and the door pockets have huge storage spaces that will accommodate 1-litre water bottles. In addition there's an 6.5-inch Composition infotainment touchscreen with four speakers with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability as well as App connect for mobile phones. The air-conditioning is a manual system with three dials on the dashboard, and adjacent is a cupholder with two USB-C outlets and a 12-volt power outlet. We found the cloth upholstered seats were supportive and comfortable, with the Trendline providing a two person bench on the left; a single passenger seat is a no cost option. The driver's seat offers both height adjustment and lumbar support and there is a heating option if required for those who work in colder climates. All three grades have halogen headlamps and daytime running lights as standard, and there is a Transporter badge neatly integrated on the front wing between the headlamp and the side indicator repeater lamp, which differentiates the T6.1 from the earlier T6 models. While not class-leading the safety feature list is solid. Electronic stability control, autonomous emergency braking, crosswind assist, a lane change system, a rear camera, front and rear parking sensors and a driver alert system make up the standard kit. That list falls behind the Toyota Hiace and Hyundai Staria, both of which carry a five-star ANCAP safety rating, while the T6.1 is unrated. Just two airbags are standard, with side and curtain options an $850 option. If you are seeking a new van with a few more standard safety features it may pay to also check out the Peugeot Expert, and Ford Transit Custom. Transporter T6.1 driving experience The Transporter drives very well. Its short nose and high seating position make for great visibility, the electro-mechanical power steering system is quick and responsive and the T6.1 Trendline tracks more like a passenger car than a light commercial. Ride quality from the all-around coil suspension is good when unladen and even better with a bit of weight in the back. While speed bumps are barely felt, bridge expansion joints caused a bit more of a commotion The 110kW/340Nm powertrain combined with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission feels well suited for the majority of most light commercial van applications. The engine's stop-start system, combined with turbo lag and the DSG system doesn't feel too inhibited and it's easy to get away from a standing start without much fuss. In spite of its aging platform which has been around for 23 years, and the fact that an all-new model is set to go on sale later this year, the T6.1 Trendline still makes for a solid and compelling option as a work horse and with the current run out pricing it will never be better value. Transporter T6.1 (SWB) specifications: Engine: 1968cc, IL4 TDI Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Max power: 110kW @ 3250 rpm Max torque: 340Nm @1500rpm GVM: 3000kg Tare weight: 1897kg Payload: 1103kg Towing capacity: 2500kg (braked) 750kg (unbraked) Fuel tank: 70l Combined fuel consumption: 7.5l/100km Combined C02 emissions: 199g/km
The Guardian
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Disaster movie: will Trump's film tariffs sink Australia's film industry?
Owen Wilson strolls up a street synonymous with rugby league in Brisbane during the festival of footy known as Magic Round. 'Owen! Owen!' yells a bloke from a Caxton Street pub. 'Come for a beer!' Without breaking stride, the actor raises a fist above his shaggy blond locks, the hint of an impish smile breaking out beneath one of the world film's most recognisable noses. 'Oi, I'll … I'll shout ya a beer!' the bloke's mate throws into the bargain. Then, once all the yahooing peters out into awed silence, another voice is heard. 'Wow.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email This is one of many Wilson encounters captured on mobile phones in south-east Queensland in recent weeks as the Hollywood A-lister bestrides Brisbane and the Gold Coast to shoot Runner. The action film is the latest in a string of big-budget US productions lured to Australia's sunshine state by tax rebates and incentives, custom-built facilities, experienced crews and a weak Aussie dollar combined with a backdrop of golden beaches and subtropical greenery. The spark that ignited Queensland's film boom though was the sanctuary – or 'bubbles' – Australia offered international productions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nationally, the industry experienced a post-pandemic surge in spending on films, from a little over $1bn in 2019-20 to just shy of $2.4bn at its peak in 2022-23. But in Queensland, the surge was meteoric. In 2019-20, $57m was spent making films in the state – the following year that figure was $557m and by 2022-23 it was $700m. Since the pandemic, Queensland has hosted franchises from Thor to Kong and stars from Tom Hanks to Mark Wahlberg. But with the big spend easing and productions in something of a lull, experts are warning of twin threats facing the industry: a US president who views the red carpet rolled out to Hollywood on the Gold Coast as 'a National Security threat' and a workforce on the brink of burnout. Film-maker and academic Peter Hegedus says the pandemic not only precipitated a film boom – but laid bare a 'mental health crisis' within the industry. During the darkest days of the pandemic, the Griffith University associate professor and his colleagues set up a screen collective where practitioners could meet virtually and discuss the things that mattered to them during that period of isolation. 'What came out of that was the fact that there is a mental health crisis happening, that people are getting burnt out, the long hours, there's bullying,' Hegedus says. 'And we thought, 'hang on, well, we need to look at this, we need to see if we can get some data.'' The result was a survey of more than 860 workers from all sectors of the industry and a preliminary report that its authors say exposes an industry reliant on 'workers' passion to offset poor conditions'. While 76% of participants felt proud of the work they do, 72% did not think the Australian screen industry was a mentally healthy place to work. The report put stark figures on the number of workers who felt as if they were regularly tasked with unreasonable deadlines, pressured not to claim basic entitlements like sick leave and left time for little to no life outside work. But, Hegedus says, two figures from the report reveal just how close the industry could be to 'breaking point': 36% of respondents reported they frequently had considered leaving their jobs in the past six months and 25% said they would probably quit within the next six months. And that was before President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare his intent that 'MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!' via a '100% tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands'. 'So I think if the tariffs came in and American productions were taken out of the equation, I would think we would see a mass exodus of Australian film members leaving,' Hegedus says. One among those at the crossroads is Lilli Corrias-Smith. Finishing her film studies in Brisbane and entering the industry around the boom of 2020, Corrias-Smith went on to land full-time and casual work in the camera and technical departments on a range of productions shot in south-east Queensland, including local shows from Netflix's Boy Swallows Universe and Stan's Black Snow to US series La Brea and movies Mortal Kombat 2 and Anaconda, a horror comedy starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd. 'I am one of the many young people that benefited from that boom because our career growth was accelerated 10 times faster than it would normally,' she says. 'Because there was just so much American work, and Australian work, but especially the American jobs that were of that larger scale that had more roles available – and higher paying roles as well. 'Especially for young women entering the camera department, we've had a huge, huge boom since 2020.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Yet, at 24, Corrias-Smith is taking a break from full-time work to travel and reflect on the next career. Corrias-Smith has always harboured 'greater creative ambitions' and while the big US productions have brought well-paid and consistent gigs for camera crews, technical and service workers, they have not provided the same opportunities for writers, producers, directors and lead actors. And while she has worked on sets brimming with 'great camaraderie' that left her feeling privileged to do the kind of work she does, Corrias-Smith says there were others on which she felt 'devalued' and endangered by long drives home after gruelling days. So Corrias-Smith is weighing up her options. Should she commit to technical or camera work, take the leap into writing more of her own stories – or do something completely different? One film-maker who opted for a career change is 50something former film-maker Mick Angus. After three decades of writing, directing and producing documentary films and series, Angus put down the camera about two years ago and is now a partner in a finance company, living in the Gold Coast hinterland. While Angus says the model of attracting foreign money has been a boon for the industry's service sector, he believes opportunities have dwindled for those at its creative engine. 'It's a very different industry now from when I started,' he said 'There's probably only two types of people that can survive in the current environment, that's if you're really young and you're hungry, or if you're entrenched and experienced'. In between those two stages, many aspiring creatives will face what Angus calls 'the real test': can they afford to tell Australian stories, raise a family and maybe even pay off a home loan? And if the answer is 'no', he says, many other, better paid, industries will find the skills, creative problem-solving and appetite for hard work honed on film sets attractive. 'Which is not a great outcome for our cultural growth as a nation'. But one film-maker and academic, Mark David Ryan, sees potential silver linings in the storm cloud that is Trump's threatened tariff, at least when it comes to telling Australian stories on screen. Ryan says the president's idea is vague and lacking in crucial detail – how it would work and what it applies to is unclear. And the Queensland University of Technology professor warns that, if levies stopped US films and series from being shot abroad, it could 'dramatically reduce employment' in the Australian film industry. But that doesn't make Australia powerless. Ryan says the government could, for example, 'slap content quotas' on the big streaming companies that would require them to screen Australian productions – something the prime minister has committed to, without providing details. 'This is an important time for the government to think about: well what are some other ways we could support the Australian film and TV industry?' Ryan says. 'Could we put more money into local production, which is not as vulnerable to external shocks?' In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat
