Warning! Viral Video of Virat Kohli in Betting App Advertisement is a Deepfake
We’re all aware of the capabilities of generative AI, from scripting movies to producing lifelike videos using tools like OpenAI’s Sora. However, a byproduct of this scourge of the Internet is the rise of deep fakes and the spread of misinformation.
Recently, numerous deepfake videos featuring various celebrities have gone viral and have been accepted at face value by many unsuspecting individuals. The latest target is none other than Indian cricketer Virat Kohli.
Fraudsters are said to be using Kohli’s deepfake to support fake advertising, especially betting apps where Kohli promises guaranteed winnings. This proliferation of misinformation is particularly troubling, especially for those less qualified to recognize the authenticity of any of said deep fakes.
क्या ये सच में @anjanaomkashyap मैम और विराट कोहली हैं? या फिर यह AI का कमाल है?अगर यह AI कमाल है तो बेहद खतरनाक है। इतना मिसयूज? अगर रियल है तो कोई बात ही नहीं। किसी को जानकारी हो तो बताएँ।@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/Q5RnDE3UPr
— Shubham Shukla (@ShubhamShuklaMP) February 18, 2024
In an attempt to add credibility to the misleading ad, the fraudster went a step further by adding a broadcast-level graphic of a well-known Indian journalist, creating the illusion that the ad was broadcast live on television. However, this was far from the truth.
In the fake ad, Kohli’s fake voice advertises the app claiming big prizes. His lip-synching is almost convincing, but if you pay attention, the voice has a robotic feel to it. Use common sense and think whether a celebrity like Kohli is really endorsing a betting app, whether it is genuine or fake.
In related news, former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar had also fallen victim to a similar deep fake earlier this year. Deepfake advertised a game that could generate substantial profits. “These videos are fake. It’s disturbing to see the rampant misuse of technology. Ask everyone to report such videos, ads and apps in large numbers,” Tendulkar said on the same issue.
