This is a research prototype. The data and analyses are preliminary and not yet validated — we'd welcome your .
Italian journalist Safiria Leccese was the victim of an AI-powered impersonation scam. Scammers created fake social media profiles and a deepfake video of her, appearing to be in her television studio, to promote a fraudulent personal loan. The scam resulted in financial losses for several victims before the profiles were blocked by authorities.
Italian media reported that scammers purportedly used AI to create fake social media profiles and a video impersonating Mediaset journalist Safiria Leccese, using her image and footage associated with her political-interview program Super Partes to promote a personal loan. Leccese said several people were deceived within an hour. After she contacted postal police, two additional fake profiles using her image were reportedly found and blocked.
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.
Scammers used AI-generated deepfakes of a well-known journalist to impersonate her and run a fraudulent loan scam, targeting individuals for financial gain.
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
The incident was initiated by human scammers who intentionally used deployed AI deepfake technology to defraud victims.
Added categories peak at 2: Minor (Psychological Harm, Direct)
An Italian journalist was deepfaked to promote a fraudulent loan scam on social media, resulting in minor financial losses for several individuals. The incident represents a common cybercrime threat with minor national security implications, manageable through standard law enforcement and regulatory procedures.
The AI system was used as a generative tool by scammers to synthesize the likeness and voice of the journalist from existing footage.
Limited Risk: The incident involves AI-generated content, specifically a deepfake video, which falls under Limited Risk due to transparency obligations.
The scammers used AI to generate a fake video of the journalist speaking in her studio to promote a scam, which also involved synthesizing her voice.
The reports provide clear and consistent details about the deepfake scam, the victim's reaction, and the police action. While the specific AI model and exact financial losses are not detailed, the core facts of the incident are well-established.
None.
Technology
AI Deepfake Video Generation
AI tools enabled realistic fake video and audio of the journalist.
Automated Recommendation System
Algorithms automatically promoted the fake profile to show followers.
Data Inputs
Unauthorized Media Scraping
Scammers stole official show frames and images to create the deepfake.
Human Factors
Victim Trust in Media Figure
People trusted the familiar journalist and fell for the fake loan offer.
Process and Methods
Weak Account Verification
Accounts can be opened without verifying the user's real identity.
Management
Inadequate Platform Moderation
Social media platforms failed to detect and block fake profiles quickly.
Regulatory Environment
Lack of Digital ID Mandates
No laws exist requiring digital identity cards to open social accounts.
Absence of AI Regulation
Lack of clear rules and laws governing the malicious use of AI.
AI system involved
An AI system was involved, but the reports do not identify it.
Identified by automated extraction; can differ from the alleged developers above.
