Western Australia's consumer watchdog has issued an urgent public warning after a sophisticated AI deepfake video, impersonating Premier Roger Cook, was used to promote a fraudulent investment scheme on YouTube.
The Sophisticated Deepfake Operation
The scam involves a pop-up advertisement on YouTube that features a digitally cloned version of Premier Roger Cook. The AI-generated video uses the Premier's likeness and voice to spruik an investment opportunity that requires a $400 contribution.
These deceptive ads are deceptively labelled as being "endorsed by the Government and open to everyone". In a statement released on Friday, Consumer Protection WA was unequivocal, stating, "This is a deepfake investment scam created using artificial intelligence, to mimic the Premier’s likeness and voice. It’s designed to steal your money and personal information."
The agency strongly emphasised that the State Government does not promote or endorse private investment schemes, particularly through unsolicited videos or social media advertisements.
Ongoing Investigation and Wider Trend
Authorities are actively investigating the incident. "We are actively investigating this matter and have reported the scam website to the domain host to request it be removed swiftly to help prevent further spread," a spokesperson confirmed.
This is not an isolated case. A similar deepfake advertisement featuring Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made headlines in August, falsely promising earnings exceeding $25,000. High-profile Australians, including mining magnates Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest, have all been victims of AI-generated scams.
Andrew Forrest's legal battle against Meta, Facebook's parent company, highlights the scale of the problem. A court hearing in March revealed the billionaire had been featured in at least 230,000 fake ads on the platform since 2019.
How to Protect Yourself
This incident serves as a critical reminder for the public to be extremely vigilant online. Be sceptical of any unsolicited investment offers, especially those that appear in pop-up ads or on social media and claim government endorsement. Always verify information through official government websites before committing any money or personal details.
