Deepfakes used in scams impersonating Brazilian tarot reader Márcia Sensitiva
Deepfake videos and fraudulent accounts impersonating Brazilian tarot reader Márcia Sensitiva were used to scam people with fake services. Sensitiva reported that dozens of scammers use AI to create deepfakes showing her face and voice, and one scammer was investigated by Brazilian police for selling fake "twin soul readings".
What happened
Deepfake videos and fraudulent accounts impersonating Brazilian tarot reader Márcia Sensitiva were used in scams targeting consumers. According to Sensitiva, AI was used to create videos manipulating her mouth and voice to make it appear she was speaking when she was not.
One scammer offered fake 'twin soul readings' using deepfake videos of Sensitiva. Sensitiva reported that approximately 30 scammers daily impersonate her on social media, and her son hired a company to monitor such fraud.
Reported impact
Consumers were defrauded through fake services advertised by scammers impersonating Sensitiva. The scale of the fraud led police investigation to the case.
Governance controls
Sensitiva advised users to verify official social media accounts to avoid fraud. The case was referred to the Departamento Estadual de Investigações Criminais (DEIC), a criminal investigation department in São Paulo, Brazil.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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