Deep fake of prominent academic used to hawk hemp gummies
Thursday, 7 November 2024
Professor Sir Jim Mann is a world-leading authority on diabetes.
But a deep fake video has emerged of his image selling alternative products.
He is encouraging people to source reliable information from Diabetes New Zealand, or recognised health professionals.
A deep fake video of a prominent New Zealand academic has been used to sell alternative products online.
“I have lost count of the number of people who have contacted me and stopped me in the street asking me about this alleged new product,” Professor Sir Jim Mann said.
His likeness was used in a Facebook page advertising “Smart Hemp Gummies”, which also featured a fake online news story copying the format of a 1News clip.
Mann, a professor in human nutrition and medicine at the University of Otago’s Department of Medicine, was concerned by the video and story.
“I was disturbed to discover what could be done with AI. Of course, one hears of it happening to other people but not until it happened to me did I realise the extent to which the technology could distort the truth,” he said.
While some people identified the video and story as a scam, others did not and even asked the leading endocrinologist where they could source the product.
In the video, those with type 2 diabetes were asked to stop taking the medication Metformin, which helps keep blood glucose from getting too high, and instead use the advertised product.
“If you don’t believe in our method then keep on living with diabetes,” the deep fake video of Mann says at one point.
“But listen mates, I’m not here to flog you something, I’m just offering you the most effective solution out there, the choice is yours.”
It was also claimed that 100,000 New Zealanders had bought the medication, which was “Medsafe approved”.
Have you bought this product? Email: hamish.mcneilly@stuff.co.nz
Mann’s image and name were also used in the fake story, which promoted a product called “Glyco Balance”.
That same story claimed Mann “personally participated in the development of the new product at the Auckland University in collaboration with experts from Johnson & Johnson”.
It referenced a Q&A interview with broadcaster Mike Hosking, which covers the supposed safety of the drug, details of the drug, and the apparent support from the likes of the Ministry of Health.
The video features a deep fake of One News presenter Simon Dallow, who speaks with an Australian accent, and who at one point says: “Let’s hear what the doc himself has to say.”
Mann encouraged people to source reliable information from Diabetes New Zealand or recognised health professionals.
University vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said he was disappointed one of the world’s leading authorities on diabetes was used to spread misinformation.
“Sir Jim has dedicated his career to helping people. To have his reputation taken advantage of and his likeness used for nefarious purposes is highly distressing,” Robertson said.
Police advised anyone who came across a scam to contact CERT NZ at cert.govt.nz/individuals/report-an-issue, or call 0800 2378 69. People could also contact Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz.