AI-generated deepfake of Owen Wilson lures mum into a scam, convincing her to part with £7 to authenticate his identity - are you susceptible to such deceit?
A WOMAN is seeking help after discovering her mother was duped by an AI deepfake scam claiming to be Owen Wilson.
This woman sure thought it was easy to spot the bogus video, but can you tell just by watching the clip above? Take a peek!
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This anonymous woman spoke out on Reddit, revealing that both she and her sister were unable to convince their mother that the man she was chatting up wasn't the real-life actor.
According to the mother, she supposedly crossed paths with Owen while playing an online game of Yahtzee. She even shared the AI deepfake video, titled 'Owen Wilson befriends my mother,' with the community.
Our Reddit user claimed she endeavored to convince her mom that it was the work of artificial intelligence, particularly due to a sleuth of red flags. These included the man mainly communicating with her mother via WhatsApp voice calls.
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In the brief 10-second clip, the mechanical likeness of a man bearing a resemblance to Owen Wilson spoke directly to the poster's mother.
"I'm making this video so you know I'm real," said the scam artist.
"I'd never do anything to hurt you. I respect you for your patience and understanding since we crossed paths. You're an amazing woman."
Some viewers were quick to note the video appeared off, with the image never making actual eye contact.
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Things took a weirder turn when the man offered a 'job' with Warner Bros and paid her £7 for her time.
The daughter added: "He 'got her a job' with Warner Bros where she can make $5000 a month by liking social media posts. The job sent her a couple $10 payments through Cashapp for her trainings."
The 'fake' Owen Wilson then proposed that the poster's family move into a new house he bought so that they could keep tabs on the place while he was away filming.
Currently, the 56-year-old actor is in Australia filming his latest action thriller, Runner.
She further elaborated: "He's now buying a house in our tiny coastal town & wants her AND her husband to live there & be caretakers when he's not there. He had an actual real estate agent from this gated community call her to discuss their options."
HOW TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED
- Remember that if it looks too good to be true, it likely is.
- Check to see if brands are "verified" on Facebook and Twitter pages (the profile will have a blue tick).
- Look for grammatical errors and awkward phrasings; scammers aren't known for their writing skills.
- Be cautious of unsolicited links and attachments and refrain from clicking them.
- If you receive a suspicious message, report it, block the sender, and delete it.
- If you believe you've fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) or use the online fraud reporting tool.
The woman concluded her Reddit post by asking for advice to prove to her mother the scam was legit.
One person replied: "Wow, that's terrifying! You can tell the tone is off and robotic. Check out his face, it's not on point either."
Another commented: "This is infuriating! Do be careful not to antagonize her. The situation can become even more challenging."
"Tell her to focus on his nose," penned another witty user.
A fourth quipped: "It's obvious it's not Owen Wilson. As others have mentioned, observe the tone, facial irregularities, and lack of personal references. Treat online acquaintances with skepticism until you confirm their identity."
"It's not Owen Wilson. The voice is off, the facial movements are unnatural, and he never used her name, only generic compliments to keep her under his influence," claimed another.
Someone else weighed in: "This deepfake scam is wild! Be vigilant and protect her. It's unfortunate how advanced these scams have become."
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DIVE DEEPER INTO DEEPFAKES
Deepfakes rely on AI technology to generate fake audio or video content that appears authentic, often impersonating well-known individuals like celebrities. Here's a breakdown of how these scams usually play out:
- Creation of Deepfake Content: Scammers utilize AI algorithms to create realistic videos or audio recordings of celebrities through face-swapping or voice cloning.
- Targeting Victims: Scammers typically target individuals susceptible to their charms or less cautious about verifying the content's authenticity.
- Delivery Mechanism: The deepfake content is disseminated via various channels, such as social media, email, or video calls, advertising fraudulent investment schemes, for instance.
- Exploitation and Deception: Once the victim believes the content is valid, the scammer exploits them, persuading them to perform actions favoring the scammer.
While there are no specific reported cases of Owen Wilson being used in deepfake scams, other celebrities, such as Brad Pitt and Elon Musk, have fallen victim to similar schemes.
DETECTING DEEPFAKES
Detecting deepfake scams can be tricky due to the high level of realism; however, here's how to spot them:
- Verify Authenticity: Be wary of dubious messages or videos, and check reliable sources to confirm if the celebrity has made similar statements or endorsements.
- Examine for Discrepancies: Deepfakes can sometimes have minor discrepancies in lighting, lip movement, or facial expressions.
- Inspect Audio/Video Quality: While deepfakes may seem authentic, they might still have slight audio or video quality issues, such as sudden volume changes or resolution shifts.
- Use Technology: Utilize tools and software designed to detect deepfakes. These tools can pinpoint inconsistencies in audio or video that might not be apparent to the human eye.
- Stay Informed: Stay updated on the latest news and alerts related to deepfake scams. This helps you recognize common fraud tactics.
By keeping a sharp eye and using these strategies, you can diminish the risk of falling victim to deepfake scams.
The woman revealed that her mother was convinced by a deepfake video claiming to be from Owen Wilson, leading to financial loss and a strained relationship. The technology used in the deepfake video, a forgery created using AI, posed a challenge to the woman in proving its legitimacy to her mother. Despite the lifelike appearance, scrutinizing the video's tone, facial irregularities, and lack of personal references can help detect deepfakes, as emphasized in the discussion on Reddit.
