AI deepfake impersonates Paul de Grès in scam targeting elderly woman
Unknown scammers in Greece attempted to defraud an elderly woman using an AI-generated video deepfake impersonating Paul de Grès, promising €26,000 but requesting an advance. The victim recognized the fake video and rejected the scam.
What happened
Unknown callers phoned an elderly woman named Bivi in Kalamos, Greece, claiming to represent Paul de Grès and offering her €26,000. They asked her to pay €350, then reduced it to €280, as an advance needed to open an account for the transfer.
During a video call via Viber, the callers displayed an AI-generated video of a person claiming to be Paul de Grès. The video showed a digitally created face with synchronized lips appearing to speak. When the victim said she could not hear the person clearly, the caller on the phone claimed poor connection and said the video call was only to prove his identity.
Reported impact
The victim recognized the video as artificial intelligence and suspected a scam from the beginning. She was not deceived and refused to pay the advance amount.
Index analysis
This incident is one of several recent scams using AI-generated deepfakes impersonating recognizable public figures. A similar scam targeting a woman from Patras used an AI deepfake of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo within days of this incident.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.