Former Nashville meteorologist targeted in deepfake sextortion campaign
Reportedly, deepfake pornographic videos featuring a former Nashville meteorologist's face and AI-generated voice were used in sextortion scams targeting her social media followers. Smith reported experiencing psychological trauma and said the former broadcaster received no assistance from her prior employer.
What happened
Bree Smith, a 43-year-old former Nashville meteorologist and former NewsChannel 5 weather anchor, discovered her likeness had been used to create explicit synthetic media content. Smith's face was digitally placed onto another woman's body in pornographic videos, accompanied by AI-generated audio mimicking her voice.
The fake content was shared through fake social media accounts and used in sextortion schemes targeting Smith's followers. In one example, a viewer received videos in which the synthetic Smith 'promised many sexual acts and asked the viewer to send them money to book a two-night stay at the Conrad Hotel.'
Reported impact
Smith reported being emotionally devastated by the discovery. She stated, 'I cry myself to sleep most nights... mostly because I don't want my kids to see me,' and felt 'humiliated and scared.'
Smith said the imposters 'violated me and they preyed on Tennesseans' and that she contacted WTVF, where she formerly worked, but was told 'nothing could be done - it was not illegal and I had no recourse.'
Index analysis
The FBI has indicated this type of sextortion scam targeted tens of thousands of Americans in the prior year. Smith's case represents part of a broader trend of digital impersonation fueled by artificial intelligence, in which perpetrators create fake accounts using victims' images and AI-altered voices.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.