AI deepfake videos spread dangerous health advice under toxicologist's name
Scammers used AI deepfake technology to create videos impersonating Hungarian toxicologist Zacher Gábor, promoting fraudulent cures and advising people to stop insulin treatment, targeting elderly people with life-threatening misinformation.
What happened
Criminals used artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos impersonating toxicologist Zacher Gábor, distributing dangerous health advice online. The synthetic videos show Zacher's likeness recommending a miracle cure and encouraging patients to stop insulin treatment, with fabricated Index articles directing viewers to purchase the fraudulent product.
Reported impact
Zacher Gábor stated that the deepfake videos pose a deadly danger to life, as they persuade people to abandon necessary medical treatment based on false claims. The scammers target primarily older adults with these life-threatening recommendations.
Index analysis
The deepfake videos are remarkably realistic due to AI technology, with synthetic versions of Zacher's face and voice synchronized to spoken text. Zacher emphasized that he has never endorsed any products and stated this is a criminal act, noting that previous complaints about similar misuse of his name have resulted in inconclusive investigations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.