PM of Singapore Alerts Residents to Deepfake Crypto Scam Using His Image
Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister of Singapore, has warned his social media followers regarding the use of deepfake videos that use his voice and image to promote cryptocurrency scams.
In posts made across various platforms including X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Facebook, Loong urged his followers to exercise caution and not fall for scammers who employ artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create convincing deepfakes, falsely claiming that the prime minister guarantees investment returns and crypto giveaways.
Loong even shared an example video of himself being interviewed, which was created by scammers to endorse a fraudulent “hands-free crypto trading” scheme.
“The use of deepfake technology to spread disinformation will continue to grow,” said Loong.
“We must remain vigilant and learn to protect ourselves and our loved ones against such scams.”
This is not the first time that Loong has been targeted by scammers.
In 2021, he cautioned Singaporeans to remain vigilant when dealing with cryptocurrency platforms, as someone had set up a profile on BitClout to sell tokens using fake social media accounts.
Additionally, Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong faced inquiries from lawmakers following the collapse of FTX in 2022.
Scammers have been employing various methods to deceive individuals and steal their fiat currency or tokens since the inception of cryptocurrencies.
In 2020, hackers compromised the accounts of prominent Twitter users, including former United States President Barack Obama and President-elect Joe Biden, to promote a Bitcoin scam.
Despite losing around $2 billion to crypto thefts, 2023 saw a slight decline in hacking incidents targeting the cryptocurrency industry.
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