Deepfake videos

Fraudsters lured with Weichselbraun’s face

Fraudsters use AI programs to create videos in which the well-known presenter Miriam Weichselbraun appears to advertise investment platforms. However, the videos are fake.

(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

Criminals used artificial intelligence (AI) to create a deepfake video of Miriam Weichselbraun. A man from Burgenland fell into the online trap.

Anyone who uses the internet knows that there are dangers lurking there. But while awareness of this is increasing, the methods used by criminals are also becoming more sophisticated. AI programs enable them to create deceptively real-looking videos of celebrities to lure users into traps.

Van der Bellen advertises a trading platform
In these deepfake videos, for example, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen promises access to an automated trading platform during a parliamentary session or Armin Assinger explains how he earned over two million euros with a secret investment trick. Or Miriam Weichselbraun reports in an interview on how she generates passive income. None of these videos are real. The celebrities concerned often don't even know that the videos exist.

Alleged interviews with celebrities are used to lure victims into the trap.

(Bild: Screenshot)

18,000 euros invested
The country's consumer protection advice center is already aware of the various deepfake videos, which in reality advertise fraudulent investment platforms. In the most recent case, a man from the Eisenstadt district fell victim to cyber criminals. He had made an investment of over 18,000 euros based on a promotional video featuring Miriam Weichselbraun. He has still not received the promised profit of 50,000 euros.

Account is deleted, no one can be reached
These platforms are supported by "personal advisors", explains Consumer Protection. "As a rule, you start with small amounts. Then you are motivated by the 'advisors' to pay in higher and higher sums. They are usually very convincing, but also put you under enormous pressure." There are no apparent winnings. Only when a payout is requested is everything revealed. The account is then closed and the "advisors" can no longer be contacted.

With the help of AI programs, fraudsters create videos in which the well-known presenter Miriam Weichselbraun appears to advertise investment platforms. But the videos are fake.

(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

Stricter rules needed
For Astrid Eisenkopf, the deputy governor responsible for consumer protection, such cases make it clear that stricter rules are urgently needed in the AI sector to protect consumers. The federal government is therefore called upon to act. "It is high time to steer the AI market in an orderly direction - especially when it comes to protecting consumers. Particularly dangerous AI systems must be taken off the market and banned," demands Eisenkopf.