AI-generated deepfake videos falsely depicting a doctor and journalist promoting a fraudulent miracle cream are circulating on Facebook, misleading citizens and potentially causing health risks.
Since Monday, AI-generated videos have been circulating on Facebook that manipulate the images of Dr. Skender Brataj, head of National Emergency, and journalist Blendi Fevziu from TV Klan. The deepfake video shows Fevziu falsely reporting on a physical attack against Brataj allegedly carried out by the 'pharmaceutical mafia' because he had shared a video about the positive effects of a cream that promises to cure a long list of diseases. None of the content in the video is true. Dr. Brataj expressed concern that such deceptive materials have been circulating on social networks for months, noting it is particularly worrying for patients who come to the National Medical Emergency Center seeking treatment. He reports responding daily to concerned citizens who write to him on social networks and has reported these posts to Facebook several times. Despite involving the cybercrime sector of the State Police, efforts have not stopped the spread of these videos. Brataj explained that experts have informed him that the publishers of these videos are not located in Albania. One specific case involved a man over 70 years old from Lezha who traveled during the heat wave because he believed the video, despite his son from Italy explaining it was a scam. Journalist Blendi Fevziu also expressed concern about the circulating video and called the case 'scandalous', describing it as pure and dangerous manipulation that could negatively affect citizens' health.
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
