Mexican Senate condemns AI-generated fraudulent investment ads impersonating President Sheinbaum
AI-generated videos falsely depicting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promoting fraudulent investment schemes circulated on YouTube with paid advertising. The Mexican Senate formally demanded Google remove the deepfaked content, arguing the identity spoofing combined with false economic promises constitutes illegal fraud and that Google profited from the paid advertisements.
What happened
AI-generated videos appeared on YouTube falsely depicting President Claudia Sheinbaum promoting investment schemes, offering monthly incomes of 100,000 pesos through Pemex stock purchases or government support programs.
The videos were marked 'Patrocinado' (sponsored), indicating paid advertising with beneficiary involvement by Google. Adán Augusto López, president of the Senate's Political Coordination Board, sent a formal letter to Google Mexico demanding removal and explanation.
Reported impact
President Sheinbaum has reported these videos as false for over a year. The fraudulent content promises non-existent economic benefits and seeks to induce users to transfer money or personal data, risking users' privacy and financial resources.
The Senate characterized the AI-generated campaign as a structured effort to damage the president's image rather than isolated posts, using deepfaked voice and image to create false authority.
Index analysis
The use of AI to generate deepfake videos of a national leader impersonating her to promote fraudulent investment schemes represents identity spoofing combined with financial fraud.
Governance controls
López stated in his letter that identity spoofing via AI alongside false promises of economic benefits constitutes an unlawful act and cannot be considered legitimate expression. He emphasized that the 'Patrocinado' label demonstrates Google obtained economic benefit from allowing the campaign's distribution, making the company liable.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.