Scammers used deepfake technology to create fraudulent articles featuring Maltese ministers promoting a fake AI-powered investment platform, spreading these across social media to defraud victims.
Scammers created sophisticated fraudulent articles that appeared to be published by legitimate Maltese news outlets like Times of Malta, featuring deepfake videos of ministers including Silvio Schembri promoting a fake AI-powered investment platform called NethertoxAGENT. The scam promised investors a weekly payout of €850 for a one-time payment of €215. The articles included deepfake audio and video content, fake testimonials from financial experts using their real photographs, and logos of legitimate businesses and state entities to lend credibility. The fraudulent websites used deceptive URLs like 'sicilyunwrapped.com' instead of legitimate news site addresses. The report notes that over 40% of Malta's highest earners have lost money to online scams, and references a recent case where a Ukrainian woman was charged with money laundering linked to a similar deepfake scam involving Robert Abela, in which a victim lost her life savings. The incident occurred just hours after budget day, suggesting timing designed to maximize impact and credibility.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to gain a personal advantage over others such as through cheating, fraud, scams, blackmail or targeted manipulation of beliefs or behavior. Examples include AI-facilitated plagiarism for research or education, impersonating a trusted or fake individual for illegitimate financial benefit, or creating humiliating or sexual imagery.
Human
Due to a decision or action made by humans
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed