Gambling Platform Uses AI Deepfake for Fraudulent Marketing

The offending operator attempted to entice customers by using the likeness of a famous Hong Kong actor, raising significant integrity and fair advertising concernsImage Source: Shutterstock.com

Hong Kong actor Louis Koo, most famous for his roles in movies like Paradox and Warriors of Future,recently fell victim to AI-enabled fraud when adeepfake videofeaturing his image and voiceunlawfully advertiseda Malaysian online gambling platform. The actor has publicly disavowed any association with the website, advising fans to be cautious of online scams.

The Actor Threatens Legal Action

The deepfake video falsely depicts Louis Koo as a spokesperson for RWS77, an online betting platform, usingsophisticated AI technology to replicate his facial expressions, voice, and mannerisms. The manipulated video also incorporates footage from his previous films, adding authenticityto the deception and making it almost impossible to detect for individuals unfamiliar with the technology.

In the video, the AI-generated version of Koo introduces himself and praises the RWS77 platform, describing it as “fun, safe, and easy to win money on.” In response to the fraudulent video, Louis Koo and his management team swiftly issued anofficial statementdenying any affiliation with the gambling site.

The online gaming platform RWS77 falsely claims that Mr. Louis Koo is their 2025 to 2026 brand spokesperson. Mr. Koo has never endorsed RWS77 or promoted their business.

Louis Koo management team statement

Koo and his team were adamant that any parties misusing the actor’s name or likeness for fraudulent or false promotion would face legal action. They reminded fans and viewers to treat suspicious marketing materialswith caution and avoid being misled. Unfortunately, AI-powered scams have becomeincreasingly commonin recent years, especially in the online gambling space.

AI-Powered Fraud Is a Growing Global Concern

This newest deepfake controversy highlights thegrowing use of artificial intelligence in online gambling scams. Cybersecurity company Group-IB recently identified over 1,300 scam gambling sites and 500 fake ads using similar deepfake videos, AI-generated voiceovers in multiple languages andmanipulated customer reviewsto AI methods to produce hyper-realistic endorsements and deceive unwitting users.

The primary objective is often todeceive usersinto downloading gambling applications laden with malware, which subsequently compromises their personal and financial information. Sumsub, a leading identity verification company, revealed that nearly half (47%)of European online gambling operators lostover 10%of their turnover to fraud in 2024.

This newest incident highlights thepressing necessityfor more stringent regulations and additional fraud prevention within the iGaming industry. With the evolution of artificial intelligence technology, criminals find new ways tomanipulate public trust. Louis Koo’s case is a cautionary tale for celebrities, companies, and consumers to remain vigilantagainst potential scams.