AI Deepfake Endorsements: Carney, Burton and Rubio in Ads and Romance Scams
Although my content is mainly focused around art and design, I cover scams from time to time. Understanding what’s going on in the world of scams and being able to warn you all about it is important to me.
Lately, scammers have been working overtime with their new favourite tool: deepfakes and AI impersonations. The formula is always the same: take someone you trust (a politician, a celebrity, or even your boss), digitally paste their face or voice onto a video, and have them pitch you a can’t-miss investment opportunity among other scams where deepfakes are used.
Spoiler: the only thing “can’t-miss” about it is how fast your money disappears.
The Canadian Version: Mark Carney, Reluctant Spokesman
Here in Canada, scammers have been churning out fake ads with Prime Minister Mark Carney apparently endorsing quick-riches platforms like Canfirst, QuilCapital, and XBTDirect. According to the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan, none of these platforms are registered. I’ve seen many of these deepfake ads myself. The videos I’ve seen were all “shot” from a distance making the deepfake less obvious. Although all of the deepfake videos of him look convincing, our PM would never endorse these things.
The results have been costly. Victims in Saskatchewan alone have lost over $1 million to the QuilCapital scam (CKOM News). Another deepfake of Mark Carney shows him making an absurd announcement about vehicle regulations in Canada.
The American Spin: Soap Stars and Officials Who Didn’t Call You
South of the border, the scams take on a Hollywood (and Washington) flavour.
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A Los Angeles woman lost $81,000 after believing she was in a relationship with a deepfake version of actor Steve Burton from General Hospital (EW.com).
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AI voice clones of U.S. officials like Marco Rubio have been used in fraudulent phone scams, urging people to “act quickly” on fabricated emergencies (TIME).
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And in Western Australia, fake celebrity endorsements have fueled bogus crypto schemes that stole over AUD $10.8 million in just a few months (News.com.au).
It doesn't Stop with Crypto
Scammers recently used deepfake videos of Oprah Winfrey to push a bogus “Pink Salt Trick” weight-loss recipe, complete with fake testimonials and AI-generated voiceovers. The ads looked polished enough to fool fans scrolling quickly, but Oprah had nothing to do with it.
In my quest to understand scams, I clicked on an ad promoting a presentation with Oprah and the “Pink Salt Trick.” Her voice didn’t sound right and her hand movements were repetitive and unnatural. I have a screen recording of the presentation and can do a deep dive scam post on that. Let me know if you’d like to see that.
Why It Works
Familiar face = instant trust. If you already know and respect the person, your guard drops.
High-tech polish. These aren’t blurry Photoshop jobs. The AI makes them convincing enough to fool even savvy viewers.
Emotional urgency. Whether it’s a “limited investment window” or “help me keep this between us,” scammers pressure you before you stop to think.
How to Outsmart Them (Without Needing a Degree in AI)
Check the source. If you see a politician or celebrity hawking investments or products assume it’s fake until confirmed by a reputable outlet. Any celebrities claiming to be in love with you is a huge red flag. Looking up their name followed by romance scam is a good way to clear things up.
Look up company names. Sometimes a quick Google search of the name followed by scam is all you need to catch the fake. Other times, you might need to look up the name on business registries in your country. When it comes to investments, if you’re still not sure, check with a professional investment advisor.
Slow down. Scams thrive on urgency. If you feel pushed to “act fast,” it’s time to pause. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Scammers don’t like it and will often leave fast if you keep questioning them.
Trust your gut. If it feels too slick, too sudden, too personal, or even too flattering—it probably is.
Bottom Line:
If your favourite actor suddenly wants to marry you, your Prime Minister is personally inviting you to double your money in 30 days, or Oprah wants to talk to you about “The Pink Salt Trick,”, don’t celebrate—double-check. The only thing these scams guarantee is heartbreak (and an empty bank account).
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