AI-generated deepfake videos impersonate Güler Sabancı in fraud schemes
Fraudsters used AI deepfake technology to create fake videos impersonating Sabancı Holding's former Board Chairman Güler Sabancı, distributing them across social media platforms under false investment and business opportunity headings. The victims reported the fraud and stated that legal proceedings had been initiated.
What happened
Fraudsters created fake videos using artificial intelligence that impersonated Sabancı Holding's former Board Chairman Güler Sabancı, according to Turkish news reports.
The deepfake content featured Sabancı's name, photograph, and video likeness, shared across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, and email with misleading headings such as 'investment advice', 'special opportunity', and 'offer' to conduct fraud schemes.
Reported impact
The fraudulent deepfake videos targeting the public figure reportedly resulted in citizens being defrauded, according to reports from Turkish media outlets.
Index analysis
The incident represents a broader pattern of AI-enabled fraud targeting prominent Turkish figures, following similar attacks on Baykar Management Board Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar.
Governance controls
Güler Sabancı issued a public warning through her social media account, urging the public not to believe the misleading content and to verify information only through official, verified accounts.
Sabancı stated that legal proceedings had been initiated and would be pursued resolutely against such fraudulent activities.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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