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Roberto Justus Warns Fans About AI Scam Using His Face and Voice

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Brazilian businessman and television personality Roberto Justus has publicly warned his followers about a scam that uses artificial intelligence to replicate his image and voice.

According to reports, the fraudulent material features a manipulated video in which Justus appears to be endorsing an investment platform, despite having no connection to it whatsoever.

The video was created using AI technology capable of generating highly realistic audio and visual content, commonly referred to as a deepfake. Such technology can convincingly mimic a person's facial expressions, tone of voice and mannerisms.

Upon discovering the manipulated content circulating on social media, Justus decided to break his silence and alert his audience directly, stating clearly that he had never participated in or authorised the promotion.

The businessman emphasised that the video was entirely fabricated and urged followers not to trust unverified promotional content, particularly when it involves financial products or investment opportunities.

This incident reflects a broader and increasingly concerning trend in which fraudsters exploit the likeness of public figures to lend credibility to deceptive schemes. By using a recognisable face and voice, scammers aim to exploit the trust that audiences place in well-known personalities.

Cases involving deepfake technology have become more frequent as AI tools grow more sophisticated and accessible, making it increasingly difficult for the average internet user to distinguish authentic content from fabricated material.

Justus's public response is part of a wider effort among celebrities and public figures to combat the misuse of their identity for fraudulent purposes. Many have taken to social media in recent months to issue similar warnings.

Authorities and digital security experts continue to advise the public to exercise caution before engaging with investment offers promoted online, especially those involving videos of recognisable personalities, and to verify such claims through official channels before taking any financial action.

As AI-generated content becomes more convincing, experts suggest that public awareness and critical scrutiny of digital media will play an essential role in preventing financial losses caused by such sophisticated scams.

Vocabulary7 words

scam
a dishonest plan to take money from people
investment
money put into something to earn more later
AI
technology that can copy human speech or actions
deepfake
a fake video made by AI that looks very real
fraudsters
people who trick others to steal money
identity
who a person is, including their name and image
sophisticated
advanced; made with skill and detail

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Quiz

1. What does the manipulated video falsely show Roberto Justus doing?
2. Why are deepfakes of public figures particularly effective for scammers?
3. True or false: Roberto Justus authorised the investment promotion shown in the video.

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Discussion questions

  1. Why do you think scammers use the images of famous people in fraudulent schemes?
  2. What steps can individuals take to protect themselves from AI-generated scams?
  3. Do you think social media platforms should be more responsible for detecting deepfakes? Why or why not?
  4. How might AI technology change the way we trust information online in the future?

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