Mexican Official Used AI Deepfakes for Extortion of Politicians
In a report for Grupo Fórmula, journalist Leopoldo Espejel broke down how a Mexican official Luis Miranda Contreras, the former Secretary of Administration and Finance for Michoacán during the Fausto Vallejo administration, was involved in an extortion ring. That ring used artificial intelligence to mimic the voices of and impersonate officials.
According to the investigation, the group obtained confidential information to deceive politicians, public servants, and businesspeople, whom they contacted with false offers of promotions, candidacies, and other benefits.
During the operation, cell phones, SIM cards, and high-end vehicles were seized; authorities reported that all five detainees were formally charged.
He was arrested in Metepec, State of Mexico, along with his wife, two children, and a bodyguard.
For an English transcript see here, or watch the original Grupo Fórmula video report in Spanish here.
