The Judiciary Police (PJ) has issued a public alert warning residents to remain vigilant against the use of deepfake videos that falsely impersonate the Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai in an apparent online investment scam.
According to a statement issued by the Judiciary Police yesterday, a manipulated video that circulated on social media platforms on June 18 used actual footage of the Chief Executive attending a public event, which was then altered using AI-powered deepfake technology to promote fraudulent investment platforms.鈥
Authorities stress that while no victims have come forward so far, the video is part of a trend of AI-related scams seen globally.
The PJ noted that this is not the first time such tactics have been used in Macau, and warned that scammers are increasingly exploiting the likenesses of public figures to deceive the public.
The police are urging residents to remain cautious of investment offers from unknown sources, especially those promoted through social media or messaging apps.
They advised the public to verify any investment opportunity through official or regulated channels and to avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information on unverified platforms.
鈥淔raudsters are constantly changing tactics and now rely on increasingly sophisticated technology to manipulate public perception,鈥 a PJ spokesperson said. 鈥淲e urge residents not to trust investment schemes simply because they appear to be endorsed by prominent individuals.鈥
The PJ reiterated that it is closely monitoring online platforms for similar cases and will continue working with other authorities to trace and dismantle fraud networks using deepfake technology.
As the Times reported yesterday, authorities earlier this week have issued a warning to the public regarding a surge in fake messages circulating online, particularly those involving 鈥渃elebrities鈥 and notable public figures.