AI deepfake of PM Carney used in $900,000 cryptocurrency scam targeting Ontario senior
An 86-year-old woman in Ontario lost $900,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam that used an AI-generated deepfake video of Prime Minister Mark Carney to solicit investors on Facebook. The victim was directed to a fake investment platform and convinced to invest her life savings and take out a mortgage, receiving false account statements showing growth. The scammers disappeared after the final payment, leaving the victim in severe financial distress.
What happened
In summer 2025, Judy Skene, an 86-year-old Ontario resident, encountered a Facebook advertisement featuring a deepfake video of Prime Minister Mark Carney promoting a cryptocurrency investment platform. She clicked the link, signed up, and made an initial investment of $350 CAD after being told it would be backed by the Bank of Canada.
Over the following months, Skene received calls from someone claiming her investment had tripled and continued investing, eventually taking out a $300,000 mortgage on her condominium to sustain her investments. The fake platform displayed an account showing her funds had almost doubled, but this was fraudulent. When Skene made her final payment, the scammers stopped all contact and she discovered all $900,000 was gone.
Reported impact
Skene's financial situation became severe, with her condominium fees, car insurance, and condo insurance payments bouncing. According to a family friend, the distress from the fraud became so severe that Skene considered ending her own life.
Index analysis
An AI expert noted that such deepfake scams are becoming increasingly difficult to detect as artificial intelligence improves at creating realistic synthetic videos of public figures, including politicians such as Carney and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The expert stated that companies allowing the posting of deepfake and scam videos should be held accountable.
Governance controls
A family friend urged people to check on vulnerable relatives, especially seniors living alone, and suggested ensuring someone is listed as an emergency contact on their bank account.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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