Deepfake-created online gambling ads detected on Facebook in South Korea
South Korea's consumer regulator detected 38 fraudulent online gambling advertisements on Facebook created with deepfake technology that impersonated celebrities, news broadcasts, and government institutions to mislead consumers into believing illegal gambling was legal and authorized.
What happened
The Korea Consumer Agency detected 38 instances of fraudulent online gambling advertisements on Facebook between August 4 and September 17, 2025, created using deepfake and other deceptive methods.
Of these cases, deepfake was used to manipulate videos to appear as if celebrities (including footballer Son Heung-min) were recommending online gambling sites in 6 instances, and news broadcasts from outlets like MBC and KBS were recommending them in 8 instances.
An additional 24 cases impersonated government and public institutions using the names and logos of bodies such as the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, with phrases like 'official' and 'legal,' while 13 cases falsely claimed partnerships with well-known companies and organizations.
Reported impact
The manipulated advertisements misled consumers into believing that online gambling, which is illegal in South Korea, was legal and endorsed by public institutions and celebrities.
Index analysis
The advertisements exploited AI technology to create convincing synthetic media depicting well-known personalities and legitimate institutions endorsing illegal gambling services.
Most advertisers behind these fraudulent ads could not be identified.
Governance controls
The Korea Consumer Agency shared its findings with Meta and requested cooperation to prevent identical or similar advertisements from being posted on the platform.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.