AI Scam Library
Deepfake investment videos A famous face, faked.
By Jake Geise, founder of VUYSE · Updated October 2026 · Sources below
Scammers use AI to make videos of celebrities, news anchors and business leaders “recommending” an investment. The person never said it. If a famous face promises guaranteed or limited-time returns, treat it as fake.
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How it works
- You see an ad or video online: a well-known person, a news-style set, an “exclusive” opportunity.
- AI has copied their face and voice to say whatever the scammer wrote.
- The video links to a polished website or app that takes your deposit and shows fake gains.
- When you try to withdraw, there are new fees, or the site disappears.
Warning signs
- Guaranteed returns, or returns that sound too good to be true
- “Limited time,” “exclusive” or “sign-ups close tonight”
- A celebrity endorsement in an ad or social media video
- A website or app you’ve never heard of
- Being asked to pay in crypto or by wire
What to do
- Never invest from an ad, a video or a social media post.
- Look up the person or firm on Investor.gov’s “Check Out Your Investment Professional” search.
- Talk to someone you trust, or your own financial advisor, before sending anything.
- Remember: a famous face doesn’t make an investment real.
New scams like this appear every week. Get the free 7-Day Kickstart and weekly Scam Watch alerts →
$3.5 billion
Reported lost to investment fraud by older Americans in 2025, the biggest category of loss.
Source: FBI: 2025 Internet Crime ReportIf you already paid or clicked
Stop sending money. Don’t pay any “fee” or “tax” to withdraw. Call your bank, then report it to the SEC at sec.gov/tcr and to the FBI. FINRA’s free Securities Helpline for Seniors is 844-574-3577.
It’s not your fault. These are professionals, and they fool smart people every day. Acting fast is what matters.
Where to report it
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov: the Federal Trade Commission
- ic3.gov: the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, whatever the amount lost
Need help? Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11), or the free AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.
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