AI Deepfakes of Celebrity Used in Product Scams in Taiwan
Scammers in Taiwan used AI deepfake technology to create fake videos of celebrity Chen Mei-feng endorsing skincare and health products, distributing them on social media and e-commerce sites. Chen issued a public warning after discovering the fraud, expressing concern that elderly fans might be deceived.
What happened
A scam ring used AI technology to create deepfake videos combining the face and voice of Taiwanese celebrity Chen Mei-feng to fraudulently advertise skincare and health products.
The synthetic videos were distributed through social media platforms and e-commerce websites, falsely presenting her endorsement with slogans like 'Chen Mei-feng's genuine recommendation' and claims such as 'look 10 years younger in 7 days.'
Reported impact
Chen Mei-feng discovered the deepfakes and issued a public statement on September 18, 2025, warning her fans not to be deceived, expressing concern that elderly followers in particular might be tricked due to their trust in her image.
Some fans reported that their elderly relatives nearly fell victim to the scam before seeing her clarification.
Index analysis
The deepfakes were notably realistic, reproducing both Chen Mei-feng's facial features and voice, making them difficult for viewers to distinguish from authentic content.
Governance controls
Chen Mei-feng called for government regulation of AI video and voice technology to prevent misuse, expressing concern that such technology should not be used for fraud or criminal purposes.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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