Deepfake video impersonating Thai PBS anchors circulated on Facebook to solicit investment
A Facebook page circulated a deepfake video impersonating Thai PBS news anchors and prominent business figures to solicit investments in a scheme called CRYSTALLUM AI. The video used a former NHK World news anchor's likeness and Thai PBS branding without authorization, reaching over 1,200 people.
What happened
A Facebook page named 'Muscle Merge' published a video using the Thai PBS World Tonight logo that impersonated news anchors and business figures using AI deepfake technology to solicit investment in a scheme called CRYSTALLUM AI. The video showed an interview with Toss Chirathivat, Executive Chairman of Central Group, and Kalin Sarasin, Honorary Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand.
The deepfake featured Patchari Raksawong, a former NHK World news anchor, who stated she has never been an anchor for Thai PBS and has only appeared on English teaching programs. Ms. Raksawong believes the video was created from an old news report about a flood from 2013 that she had made for NHK and was found on the internet.
Reported impact
The video received over 1,200 likes on Facebook and was distributed through Facebook ads. Victims warned others not to be fooled, as it could lead to financial losses and fraud.
Index analysis
Thai PBS Verify identified the deepfake as impersonating well-known figures and using the Thai PBS World Tonight branding without authorization to enhance credibility.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.