AI-Generated Deepfake Video Impersonates Changhua County Magistrate in Fraud Scheme
A deepfake video using AI technology to impersonate Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei circulated on social media platforms promoting bitter buckwheat tea with exaggerated health claims. The county government reported the content to Facebook, requested its removal, and filed a police report to investigate the source of the fraudulent video.
What happened
A deepfake video circulated on Facebook and other social media platforms showing an AI-generated image of Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei promoting bitter buckwheat tea under the altered name 'Wang Hui-mei.' The video made exaggerated health claims about the product, including that it could treat insomnia so severely that family members could not wake the person, lower blood pressure, cure high blood pressure, cause cancer cells to retreat entirely, and reverse all health examination results.
The video was part of a fraud scheme directing viewers to click links leading to one-page Facebook advertisements designed to solicit payment for the product. Seventeen fraudulent accounts promoting the content were later removed from Facebook.
Reported impact
The Changhua County Government reported the fraudulent content to Facebook and requested its removal. County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei issued a public statement warning citizens not to be deceived by the video.
Index analysis
Similar deepfake fraud schemes involving county magistrates were reported in the same period. Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Zhang-liang was targeted with a deepfake video promoting chia seed and lotus root powder with health claims.
Governance controls
The Changhua County Police and the Criminal Investigation Bureau were involved in pursuing the case and tracking the source of the fraudulent content. The county government has urged the public not to fall victim to such schemes.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.