Ontario (June 2025) – Canadian officials are warning the public to remain cautious as AI-generated deepfake videos continue to circulate online, promoting fraudulent investments and merchandise using the likenesses of trusted public figures.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) and Southern Georgian Bay OPP, scammers are using artificial intelligence to create convincing videos of celebrities, politicians, and news anchors falsely endorsing financial platforms or products.
These deepfakes — which can appear on social media ads, YouTube, or messaging apps — are designed to mislead viewers into investing money or purchasing services under false pretenses. The CAFC reports a rise in complaints tied to these AI-based scams.
Authorities advise the public to:
- Assume a video is fake unless independently verified
- Be skeptical of high-yield investment offers shared via social media
- Watch for signs of manipulation such as odd facial movements, off-sync audio, or unnatural transitions
- Check company registration using tools like the Provincial Securities Regulator or National Registration Tool
Anyone who suspects they have encountered or fallen victim to such a scam is urged to report it to local police and file a report through the CAFC’s online fraud reporting system.
