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AI-Generated Deepfake Video Falsely Claims Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto Will Distribute Personal Funds
A July 26, 2025 video, viewed over 2.8 million times, falsely claims Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will donate personal funds; DW Indonesia's fact-check reveals the video is a manipulated AI creation used for fraudulent purposes.
- What is the central claim of the viral video, and what is its factual accuracy?
- The video falsely claims President Prabowo Subianto will personally donate to citizens for various needs, including debt repayment and business capital. DW Indonesia's fact-check, using reverse image search and deepfake detection tools, proved this claim false and the video a manipulated AI creation.
- How was the video's falsity determined, and what technical evidence supports this?
- Reverse image searches revealed the video's footage originated from a 2019 event where Prabowo was Minister of Defense. Deepfake detection software confirmed the audio as AI-generated with 100% certainty; unnatural lip movements and a static background further indicated AI manipulation.
- What are the implications of this deepfake video, and what factors contribute to its spread?
- The video is a fraudulent scheme, collecting personal data from trusting viewers under the guise of financial aid, potentially for use in scams or illegal online lending. The video's success highlights a vulnerability: citizens' urgent financial needs combined with low digital literacy make them susceptible to AI-based deception.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article's framing focuses on the deceptive nature of the video and its potential for harm, highlighting the misuse of AI technology and the vulnerability of the public. The headline and introduction immediately establish the false claim and the investigation's findings. This framing prioritizes informing the public about the scam over promoting any particular political viewpoint.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including information on the scale of the scam, the number of people potentially affected, or any legal actions taken against the perpetrators. While the article mentions the WhatsApp group promoting gambling, expanding on the nature of this group and its activities would be helpful. However, given the article's focus and length, these omissions are understandable.
Sustainable Development Goals
The fraudulent video using AI deepfake technology preys on vulnerable populations facing financial hardship, exacerbating existing inequalities. The promise of financial aid, while false, highlights the desperation of some individuals and the potential for exploitation. The fact that the video links to an online gambling application further demonstrates the malicious intent to profit from vulnerable individuals. This action undermines efforts to reduce inequality by exploiting those in need and diverting resources away from legitimate aid channels.