Surrey PCC Sounds Alarm on Sneaky Deepfake Fraud Scams

Lisa Townsend, the police and crime commissioner for Surrey, has become the focus of a new campaign warning people about deepfake fraud. In a video posted to social media, viewers first see what appears to be Lisa promoting a financial scheme, encouraging people to find out how they can 'secure money in their bank accounts. ' However, this video is not real. It was created using artificial intelligence, or AI, to make a digital version of Lisa that looks and sounds like her. After the fake video plays, the real Lisa appears and explains that the first part was made using AI technology. She wanted to show just how easy it is for fraudsters to convincingly impersonate someone, especially people who are well-known or work in public roles. This demonstration is part of the Question Everything campaign, which aims to highlight the dangers of AI-generated fraud and teach people to be cautious online. Deepfake technology uses machine learning to map a person's face and mouth movements, allowing computers to create videos that look like the real person is speaking. Lisa explained that AI is becoming more advanced every day. While it can bring many benefits to our lives and work, it is also being used by criminals to trick people and steal money. She warned that only three seconds of someone's voice is needed for AI to clone it, making it possible for criminals to make the person say anything they want. Lisa described the results as 'frightening. ' With Black Friday sales and Christmas coming soon, Lisa urged everyone to pause and question everything they see, read, or hear online. She said that AI has made it much easier for scammers to operate, turning the internet into a 'fraudsters' paradise. ' The campaign encourages people to be skeptical and not trust everything they see on social media or other websites. Lisa and her team are sharing tips on how to spot deepfake videos and protect yourself from online fraud. They want people to know that not everything online is true, and it's important to check things carefully and ask questions if something seems suspicious. If you come across a video or message that seems odd, you should talk to someone you trust or report it to the police. By raising awareness about deepfakes and AI fraud, Lisa hopes to help people avoid being tricked by scammers. She wants everyone to enjoy shopping and celebrating during the holiday season, but also to stay safe from online fraud. The Question Everything campaign will continue to share information and advice to help people recognize and avoid new scams. Lisa believes that by working together and staying informed, we can protect ourselves and our communities from fraud. She encourages everyone to be cautious, think critically, and always question what they see online. With more people learning about deepfakes and AI fraud, it will become harder for criminals to succeed in their scams.