Spain’s beloved star caught up in AI deepfake health scam, warning, don’t be fooled

Antonio Banderas, the renowned Spanish actor, has become an unwitting victim of an artificial intelligence scam after his old footage was manipulated to make it appear he endorsed a bogus "miracle" prostate supplement. The fraudulent video, which circulated on social media, spliced synthetic audio over genuine footage of the 66-year-old actor from Malaga.

In the fabricated clip, Banderas claimed that a natural ingredient-based supplement could shrink prostate inflammation and alleviate bladder problems. However, the actor has no affiliation with the product and never approved the promotion. Worse still, another individual, Dr. Jose Luis Marin, also appears in the video, despite not being associated with the product.

Marin, who specializes in psychiatry, has no expertise in urology, the field related to the advertised remedy. The video's creators designed it to direct viewers to a purchase page, typical of many scam advertisements. Spanish authorities have been informed of the fraudulent activity, and legal proceedings against the perpetrators are anticipated.

Identity theft of this nature is a criminal offense in Spain. Similar AI-based scams have involved impersonating genuine doctors to promote untested health products. Experts advise viewers to scrutinize celebrity-endorsed health claims, especially those promising rapid cures for sensitive health issues. Clues that a video may be manipulated include unnatural skin texture, inconsistencies between clips, oddly shaped features, and robotic voices lacking natural inflection.

Anyone who purchased the product or shared personal information after watching the clip should contact their bank and monitor their accounts for any suspicious activity.