The Jersey Cyber Security Centre has urged islanders to remain vigilant against online scams which will “likely increase in sophistication” due to artificial intelligence and reduced social media moderation – after scammers impersonated a former Chief Minister with a video promoting a fake ‘public investment’ scheme.
The fake video, which appears to have been created with AI, utilises altered footage of John Le Fondré – as well as imitating his voice – to make it seem as if he has announced a “new financial platform”.
In the video, the former Chief Minister appears to encourage viewers to go to a website and “enter their details” to gain access to the scam programme.
As has been the case with a number of similar scams attempting to use imagery of well-known islanders in recent months, the video also tries to imitate a headline from the Jersey Evening Post.
JCSC director Matt Palmer said: “The combination of AI tools and the recent reductions in social media platform moderation by big tech companies means these are going to continue and likely increase in sophistication.
“The criminal groups behind these obfuscate themselves behind different countries and technology platforms – for example we traced this one back via a hosting company in the Seychelles to internet addresses also used in the impersonation of Gary Burgess.
“We take actions to block the malicious domain names, which can help for a while, but the fraudsters will come back – it’s whack a mole.”
“Watch out for anything that seems too good to be true”
Mr Palmer stressed that, while the JCSC was continuing to work with the police and others to counter the threat, it was also important that islanders endeavoured to “protect themselves”.
He continued: “Watch out for anything that seems too good to be true, and only click on websites you trust.
“Don’t click on adverts on social media platforms or posts from people you don’t know, as there can be little verification of advertisers or control over misinformation on these platforms.
“And remember, interesting local news is likely to be covered by trusted local sources such as the Jersey Evening Post.
“Instead of clicking on social media ads, check local news and government websites for information.”