Fact check: Hontiveros deepfaked to promote investment scheme
MANILA, Philippines — A deepfake video of Sen. Risa Hontiveros falsely shows her endorsing investment schemes and promoting a certain "Gloria Mendoza" who offers "investment plans." The senator, however, has not promoted such activities or persons.
A Facebook page called "Economic Solutions Abs-Cbn News" posted on July 14 a 41-second video featuring a deepfaked Hontiveros sharing her experience with her "friend" Mendoza. It uses an audio that mimics the senator's voice.
The AI-generated content of Hontiveros was made to say:
"Hey everyone! Today, I want to introduce you to my friend, Gloria Mendoza. She works in investments. And since there are so many dishonest projects out there, I decided to tell you about her."
She's been working officially for many years and I know personally that everything she does is legitimate.
The video also falsely shows Hontiveros claiming she has known Mendoza for 20 years as someone she has "worked with" in the past, with the senator supposedly recommending people contact Mendoza's channel to set up meetings.
Rating: This is fake.
Facts
The AI-generated video repurposes footage from Hontiveros' June 3 statement, in which she criticized the Senate's decision to postpone the convening of an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte's trial.
It also reveals obvious signs of a deepfake, such as unnatural mouth movements that don't match the audio properly and teeth that appear too smooth and digitally enhanced.
Hontiveros' office also confirmed with Philstar.com that she is not the one endorsing the investment scheme or the individual who offers investment plans.
Why we fact-checked this
Public officials, well-known entrepreneurs and news anchors have been subject to deepfakes by multiple Facebook pages promoting investment schemes or financial programs online.
These videos have generated thousands of views, some of which have attached fake news articles from news media to appear credible and legitimate.
Some examples of other personalities include Duterte, President Bongbong Marcos, as well as tycoons Ramon Ang, Enrique Razon Jr., Henry Sy. Jr and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.
The deepfake video of Hontiveros garnered over 16,000 views.
The public has been urged to stay vigilant against the rising prevalence of online fraud and financial scams.
RELATED: Tycoons fall prey to deepfake scams
- Latest
- Trending
