MC Đại Nghĩa targeted by AI deepfake investment scam
Vietnamese entertainer MC Đại Nghĩa publicly warned on 10 August 2025 that scammers had used AI deepfake technology to create a synthetic video impersonating him to promote fraudulent investment schemes. The deepfake, which spliced his image and voice from an older clip about vegetarianism, was reported to be nearly indistinguishable from genuine content, and multiple other Vietnamese entertainers reported similar attacks during the same period.
What happened
On 10 August 2025, Vietnamese MC Đại Nghĩa posted a warning after discovering that an 11-second deepfake video using his face and voice had been created to promote investment schemes. The synthetic video spliced his image and voice from an older clip about vegetarianism to make him appear to endorse investment opportunities with no capital required.
Đại Nghĩa stated: 'I don't know what content they are putting into my mouth.' He affirmed he never endorsed investment products and warned audiences to be cautious to avoid being defrauded.
Reported impact
Colleagues and audiences expressed shock at the difficulty in distinguishing the deepfake from genuine content. Comments included: 'Very savage and terrifying,' 'Many people have been deceived this way. Audiences cannot possibly tell the difference,' and 'Đại Nghĩa is not the only victim.'
The deepfake accurately replicated Đại Nghĩa's voice, speech patterns and facial movements, making it difficult to identify as synthetic.
Index analysis
Other Vietnamese entertainers including Quốc Trường, Mạc Văn Khoa, Khắc Việt and Đan Trường reported similar deepfake impersonation attacks during July and August 2025, with synthetic videos using their likenesses for investment fraud, gambling promotion and commercial scams.
Governance controls
Quốc Trường stated he would report the incidents to authorities, noting: 'I will report to competent authorities those units arbitrarily using my image and information to defraud, to avoid future consequences.'
Khắc Việt described the deepfakes as 'serious violations that not only affect me but can also cause damage to the community.'
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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