Online scams have entered a terrifying new phase — one where artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just used to create fake emails or calls, but to impersonate real people and manipulate emotions. A recent case from Argentina reveals just how dangerous AI can become when it falls into the wrong hands.
In a bizarre and disturbing incident, a woman believed she was chatting with Hollywood superstar George Clooney. But the truth? It wasn’t Clooney at all — it was an AI-generated imposter created by online scammers.
When AI Becomes a ‘Hollywood Star’
The woman first came across a Facebook account that claimed to be George Clooney. The profile looked authentic, and the videos shared on it were convincing enough to fool anyone. She began chatting with the account, believing she was speaking with the real actor. This online interaction went on for about six weeks.
Thanks to advanced AI tools and deepfake technology, the scammers had created video clips where “Clooney” could smile, blink, talk, and even express affection — mimicking not just his voice but his facial expressions and personality.
How the Scam Played Out
It started with friendship and emotional bonding. The AI-generated “Clooney” claimed he was divorcing his wife and was looking to start a new life — possibly with her.
Once trust was built, the scammer made a move. He told the woman that his fan club card wasn’t working and he needed some money to sort things out. Promising to pay her back and help her get a great job, he asked her to transfer funds.
Believing she was helping someone she admired and trusted, the woman ended up transferring £10,000 (approximately ₹11.3 lakh) to the scammer’s account — money she never saw again.
Not the First AI Romance Scam
This isn’t an isolated case. Earlier this year, a woman in France was conned out of a whopping ₹7.9 crore by someone pretending to be actor Brad Pitt. That scam also involved deepfake videos and AI-generated messages.
What Is Deepfake Technology?
Deepfake is a form of synthetic media where AI is used to replicate someone’s face, voice, and mannerisms with extreme accuracy. Since there’s an abundance of photos, interviews, and videos of celebrities online, scammers can easily feed this data into AI tools to create frighteningly realistic digital clones.
Expert Warnings
Cybersecurity experts warn that this is just the beginning. As AI tools become more advanced and accessible, such scams could become far more common — and not just limited to impersonating celebrities.
Scammers may start targeting everyday individuals by cloning their loved ones’ voices and faces, making it harder than ever to distinguish real from fake.
How to Stay Safe from AI-Based Scams
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Don’t blindly trust social media profiles, no matter how real they look or sound.
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Verify the authenticity of any online relationship, especially before sending money.
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Don’t believe everything you see or hear — videos and voice calls can be faked with today’s technology.
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Report suspicious behavior immediately to the Cyber Crime Cell or relevant authorities.