How AI helped fraudsters steal £20,000 from a UK woman
When deepfake technology mimics trusted figures like politicians, it can create scams that are nearly impossible to spot. For Ann Jensen, this deception cost her £20,000 and years of financial recovery.
Ann Jensen, a woman from Salisbury, was deceived into losing £20,000 through an AI-powered investment scam that falsely claimed endorsement by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The scammers used deepfake technology to mimic Starmer, promoting a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment opportunity. After persuading her to invest an initial sum, they convinced her to take out a bank loan, only to vanish with the funds.
The scam left Ms. Jensen not only financially devastated but also emotionally shaken, describing the experience as a “physical reaction” where her “body felt like liquid.” Now facing a £23,000 repayment over 27 years, she reflects on the incident as a life-altering crime. “It’s tainted me for life,” she said, emphasising that while she doesn’t feel stupid, she considers herself a victim.
Cybersecurity expert Dr. Jan Collie highlighted how AI tools are weaponised by criminals to clone well-known figures’ voices and mannerisms, making scams appear authentic. She advises vigilance, suggesting people look for telltale signs like mismatched movements or pixelation in videos to avoid falling prey to these sophisticated frauds.
About author
DW Team
The GIP Digital Watch Observatory team, consisting of over 30 digital policy experts from around the world, excels in the fields of research and analysis on digital policy issues. The team is backed by the creative prowess of Creative Lab Diplo and the technical expertise of the Diplo tech team.
