Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, warned the public about the surge in deepfake videos circulating on social media platforms. These AI-generated videos manipulate the Prime Minister’s likeness to falsely endorse cryptocurrency investment scams, posing a significant threat to public trust and security.
PM Loong exposes deepfake scam tactics
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took to his official Facebook page on December 29 to address the alarming rise in deepfake videos featuring him and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The fabricated videos, created using advanced AI technology, depict the leaders discussing a supposed government-backed cryptocurrency investment platform linked to Elon Musk.
The Prime Minister clarified that these videos are entirely fake, emphasizing that scammers employ AI to replicate the voices and images of officials. They manipulate genuine footage from official events to craft convincing but entirely fictitious narratives, a tactic that has seen a 500% increase in deepfake videos in Singapore in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Call for public vigilance and reporting
Lee urged the public to remain vigilant and not succumb to the deceptive allure of these deepfake videos promising financial gains. He specifically called out any engagement with fraudulent content promising guaranteed returns or giveaways. To counteract the spread of misinformation, the Prime Minister encouraged citizens to report such instances through the government’s ScamShield Bot on WhatsApp.
The government’s response emphasizes the severity of the issue and the importance of collective action to curb the proliferation of deepfake scams. The Prime Minister’s call to report suspicious content aligns with Singapore’s ongoing efforts to maintain a secure digital environment.
Lee Hsien Loong stresses growing threat of deepfake technology
This incident marks a continuation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s concern about the dangers posed by AI technology. In previous social media posts, he highlighted the challenges of discerning reality as AI advancements enable increasingly convincing deepfake content. Notably, scammers exploit periods of heightened media coverage to execute cryptocurrency scams and disseminate fake advertisements using the Prime Minister’s image.
Lee’s latest warning underscores the evolving threat of deepfake technology and its potential to spread disinformation on a mass scale. The Prime Minister’s commitment to protecting the public from such scams reflects the government’s dedication to cybersecurity and the ongoing battle against digital fraud.
