Archive · 4 Oct 2025
AI Deepfakes Used in Brazilian Instagram Scam
Scammers in Brazil used artificial intelligence to create fake Instagram ads featuring deepfakes of celebrities like Gisele Bundchen.
These ads promoted products or giveaways, tricking people into sending money.
Police arrested four suspects and froze millions of dollars connected to the scams.
Most victims lost small amounts, making them less likely to report the crime.
The scammers took advantage of this and operated on a large scale.
The case shows how AI is being used to manipulate images and videos for fraud.
Scammers in Brazil used deepfakes of celebrities in Instagram ads to commit fraud.
Police arrested four suspects and froze assets worth over $3.9 million.
The scams involved fake ads promoting products and giveaways.
Most victims lost small amounts, making the crimes less likely to be reported.
Investigators are pursuing charges of money laundering and online fraud.
- Who
- Brazilian scammers
- What
- Used deepfakes of celebrities in Instagram ads for online fraud.
- When
- Investigation began in August 2024, arrests this week.
- Where
- Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and across five states.
- Why
- To perpetrate online scams and defraud individuals.
Scammers
Meta
Responsibility for Scams
Scammers
Scammers use deepfakes to scam people.
Meta
Meta says it removes scams when detected and invests in detection.
- Suspects Arrested
- Four
- Total Funds Frozen
- Over 20 million reais ($3.9 million)
- Victim Report Date
- August 2024
- Alleged Crimes
- Money laundering and online fraud
- Location
- Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and other states
