AI deepfake scam using Taiwanese farmer's image to sell Chinese garlic products
Deepfake videos and audio impersonating Taiwanese garlic farmer Lin Huang-chih were used to advertise and sell Chinese garlic products online through one-page websites, misleading consumers into purchasing products from Shandong, China. At least eight consumers discovered the fraud after delivery, with prices marked up to double the farmer's legitimate products.
What happened
Lin Huang-chih, a garlic farmer in Yunlin County, Taiwan, discovered that his image and voice had been synthetically altered using AI to advertise and sell garlic products through videos and one-page websites.
Consumers who purchased products promoted through these deepfake videos received items with labels indicating they were from Shandong, China, instead of Taiwan. The fraudulent advertisements targeted older consumers and charged prices double those of Lin's legitimate products.
Reported impact
At least eight consumers reported being defrauded after purchasing the counterfeit products. Lin Huang-chih publicly warned consumers not to be deceived and clarified that he does not endorse Chinese products or authorize the use of his brand for Chinese goods.
Index analysis
The incident demonstrates the use of deepfake technology to impersonate a specific agricultural producer and facilitate commercial fraud. Similar deepfake impersonations were reported for other Taiwanese agricultural brands including jujubes from Miaoli and mangoes from Tainan.
Governance controls
The Yunlin County Government reported that social media platforms previously displayed fraudulent videos impersonating the county magistrate recommending agricultural products. The county verified these as altered content and reported them to police for investigation.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.