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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Villar warns of scammers using AI video

Villar warns of scammers using AI video

Published Jun 9, 2024 02:36 pm

Billionaire Manuel B. Villar Jr., named as the richest Filipino by Forbes Magazine, has issued a warning against an investment scam that is using a doctored video of him to entice victims.

villar fake.jpg
AI-manipulated video of Manuel B. Villar Jr.

"A deepfake video has been going around that uses a doctored video of myself talking about an investment scheme. This is a scam,” Villar said.

He noted that “deceptive individuals used an old footage and digitally altered, using AI, what I was saying. I urge the public to disregard that video. There is no such investment program.”

“I enjoin the public to be more discerning and extra cautious when viewing posts and videos that use AI technologies and that promise easy money or success," he added.

“There is no such thing as easy money. There is no substitute to good, old fashioned sipag at tiyaga (hard work and perseverance) in achieving success in life. Mag-iingat po tayo sa mga manloloko (Let us be wary of scammers)," he also said.

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