Deepfake videos used in fraud targeting Canadian immigrants
Deepfake videos depicting Toronto immigration lawyer Max Chaudhary were used to defraud Canadian immigrants. At least one person was solicited for $7,000 through WhatsApp messages containing the fake videos, and the lawyer fears other vulnerable newcomers may have been similarly targeted.
What happened
Artificially generated videos depicting Toronto-based immigration lawyer Max Chaudhary were used to solicit money from people who contacted his law firm. Two deepfake videos sent to Chaudhary appeared to show him directly addressing an individual by first name and naming his fiancée, asking for money over WhatsApp.
Someone called Chaudhary's law firm asking when he could send $7,000 that had been discussed over WhatsApp. When the caller realized the person messaging was not actually Chaudhary, he reported the videos to the lawyer.
Reported impact
Chaudhary reported receiving videos that appeared to depict him asking vulnerable people for money in exchange for legal services he never provided. He expressed concern that other new or prospective immigrants may have been targeted with similar deepfake videos of him.
Index analysis
Migrant advocacy groups noted that new federal immigration policies reducing permanent-resident targets and work and study permits have created confusion and desperation among newcomers. This climate may make vulnerable, gullible or desperate people more susceptible to fraud using deepfake technology.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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