Monica Geingos's likeness used in AI deepfake investment scam videos
Fraudsters have created deepfake videos using the likeness and voice of former Namibian First Lady Monica Geingos to solicit investments in foreign exchange schemes. Victims have reportedly lost significant sums including retirement savings, and the scams have reportedly worsened in recent months across social media platforms and via direct video calls.
What happened
Fraudsters have created AI-generated deepfake videos and conducted deepfake video calls purporting to show Namibia's former First Lady Monica Geingos asking people to invest in foreign exchange schemes.
The manipulated clips use genuine footage of Geingos dubbed with artificial voice and appear on TikTok, Instagram and X alongside fake accounts using her profile image and similar handles. People have also been contacted directly via deepfake video calls.
Reported impact
A spokesperson for Geingos told the BBC that there have been many victims, including one woman who was swindled out of her retirement savings.
Geingos's executive assistant said the office had been inundated with messages from people who had been defrauded, with large amounts involved in some cases, and noted the problem had worsened over the past two months.
Index analysis
Deepfakes and synthetic media have become an increasingly widespread threat. A 2024 Regula report states that 53% of cryptocurrency firms have encountered video deepfake fraud, with crypto representing 88% of all deepfake cases detected in 2023.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.