Comedian Ijoba Lande blackmailed with AI-generated deepfake video
A Nigerian comedian reported being blackmailed with an AI-generated deepfake video falsely showing him in a sexual situation with a senator's wife, with the creator demanding ₦5 million and circulating it to his contacts. The incident reportedly caused reputational and economic damage despite Lande's denials.
What happened
An unknown person created an AI-generated deepfake video depicting Nigerian comedian and actor Ijoba Lande (Ganiyu Morufu) in a naked, intimate situation with a woman he identified as a senator's wife.
The creator demanded ₦5 million from Lande to prevent the video's release and circulated it among his network of benefactors and contacts.
Reported impact
Lande reported severe damage to his reputation and livelihood as some benefactors and contacts who received the video doubted his denial of involvement.
The actor described emotional turmoil from the blackmail and expressed concern about the video's continued circulation.
Index analysis
The incident demonstrates the vulnerability of public figures to deepfake extortion, as the fabricated video was convincing enough to cause doubt among Lande's contacts despite his denials.
Lande called on the Nigerian government to urgently regulate artificial intelligence use to avert similar future harm.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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