Deepfake Videos Impersonated Albanian Cardiologist and Journalist to Sell Hypertension Product

What happened

A Facebook page published videos using artificial intelligence to create deepfakes of Albanian cardiologist Spiro Qirko and journalist Ilir Topi, purportedly endorsing a hypertension medication called 'Hyper Caps' and claiming it could completely cure high blood pressure.

Analysis using HIVE Moderation platform confirmed with 96.4% accuracy that the video and voice were AI-generated deepfakes. Both Dr. Qirko and Ilir Topi denied any involvement and described the case as fraud and manipulated video.

Reported impact

The product 'Hyper Caps' lacks marketing authorization from the Kosovo Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (AKPPM), making its sale illegal in Kosovo.

Classification

Organizations

Agjencia Kosovare për Produkte dhe Pajisje Medicinale (regulator), Spiro Qirko (victim), Ilir Topi (victim)

Category

Fraud, scams and manipulation

Harm status

Potential harm

Intent

Intentional

Timing

Unknown

Harm types

Economic or property, Reputational, Public interest

Harmed

Consumers

Failure modes

Deepfake video, Voice clone, Manipulation or dark pattern

Consequences

None recorded

AI systems

Deepfake video generation system

Regulations

EU AI Act (cited)

Sources and evidence