Roger Cook ‘very distressed’ to see himself used in AI deepfake video as part of online investment scam

Premier Roger Cook says he was distressed to see his face put to an AI deepfake video trying to defraud people out of hundreds of dollars and urged the community to be watchful of scams.

Mr Cook said the Government never endorsed investment schemes or financial products and anyone who sees similar videos to be sceptical.

Consumer Protection WA late on Friday released a warning of the online ad using an AI deepfake of the Premier promoting an investment opportunity which required victims to pay a $400 contribution.

The video appeared on YouTube and said it was “endorsed by the Government”.

Mr Cook said he was upset his face had been used on a scam and urged the community to be wary.

“It’s pretty distressing, isn’t it? It’s very scary that people go to such lengths to deceive people and to try to scam them out of their hard earned dollars and it’s disgusting,” he said on Saturday.

“I was obviously very distressed to see my image used in this way.

“Can I just make it really clear the Government does not endorse investment schemes, particular products, particular financial products, do not trust these sort of videos.

“If you look closely, you can tell it’s fake, but I can understand to the casual observer, it looks legitimate, it’s not.”

Mr Cook said he was concerned more advanced technology was leading to less trust.

“It’s quite distressing, and it’s a sign that technology is now placing us in a very in a whole new world, a world in which you have to continue to ask yourself the question, is this real? Do I take this seriously?,” he said.

While issuing a warning of the scam, Mr Cook jokingly asked for the community to keep trusting the real him.

“Other issues of me, don’t be sceptical, just that one,” he laughed.

In its warning, Consumer Protection said the type of scam tried to use a well-known figure to take money and information.

“This is a deepfake investment scam created using artificial intelligence, to mimic the Premier’s likeness and voice,” the watchdog’s statement read.

“It’s designed to steal your money and personal information.

“The State Government does not promote or endorse private investment schemes, especially not through unsolicited videos or social media ads.”

Mr Cook is far from the first to be used in an AI scam, with Anthony Albanese’s face also being used to try and receive payment for a non-existent investment scheme.

Business personalities have also been used with Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest having their likeness used. The latter took Facebook’s parent company Meta to court over the ads.