The deceptive power of artificial intelligence in cyber scams has reached new heights. In a bizarre case from Shanghai, China, a 65-year-old hospital cleaner utilized AI deepfake technology to pose as a 29-year-old doctor, successfully defrauding a businessman of approximately 170,000 yuan ($27,000) over five months.
Digital Deception and Fake Identity
The victim, a property contractor named Liu Hui, met a woman online named Yu Xiuzhen in 2021. Believing her claims of being a prestigious doctor with strong connections to hospital engineering projects, Liu entered into an online relationship. In reality, Yu was a 65-year-old cleaner who had uploaded nearly 7,000 videos to her social media profile over five years, manipulating her appearance using digital filters and AI tools.
Whenever Liu requested an in-person meeting, Yu would evade him by claiming her mother disapproved of the relationship. Astoundingly, she even impersonated her own mother using AI to maintain the illusion. Liu eventually grew suspicious due to constant excuses and reported the matter to authorities, uncovering a sophisticated web of digital manipulation.
'The Freelance' does not independently verify the authenticity of the claims made in viral social media videos. This story highlights ongoing digital trends and security warnings. Video courtesy: Respective social media handles / creators.
