Deepfake of Jean Reno used in €350,000 investment scam in Lyon
A 50-year-old engineer in Lyon lost €350,000 after being deceived by an AI-generated deepfake video featuring actor Jean Reno endorsing a fraudulent trading platform. The scam involved a fake financial advisor who built a relationship of trust before the victim attempted to withdraw funds and discovered the fraud.
What happened
In December 2022, a 50-year-old engineer in Lyon saw an advertisement on social media featuring actor Jean Reno recommending a trading platform offering quick gains. The engineer invested approximately €200 to start.
The video was an AI-generated deepfake; Jean Reno never participated in the advertisement. After initial investment, a person claiming to be financial advisor Laurent Bernaud contacted the engineer and built a relationship of trust over weeks, discussing trading strategies and personal matters.
The engineer invested progressively, with the platform displaying virtual gains reaching €500,000. When he attempted to withdraw funds, the platform demanded additional taxes, which raised his suspicions and led him to contact a legitimate trading platform and discover the fraud.
Reported impact
The engineer lost €350,000—his family's total savings. He had hoped to purchase a larger house for his wife and children.
The family later moved to a small apartment.
Index analysis
The scam combined an AI-generated deepfake of a well-known public figure with social engineering, wherein a fake financial advisor built personal rapport with the victim over time to encourage larger investments.
Governance controls
Jean Reno stated he intends to file a complaint over the unauthorized use of his likeness.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.