AI‑fabricated Markus Lanz video dupes German woman out of €1 million

In early July 2026, a woman from Lichtenberg, Saxony, was deceived by a video that mimicked the ZDF talk‑show “Markus Lanz”. The clip, created with artificial‑intelligence tools, featured a fabricated financial expert who promoted a seemingly high‑profit investment.

The video directed the victim to a platform called Investhub 3.0. After registering, she received calls from a supposed broker and was persuaded to invest in gold, oil and cryptocurrencies. Initial transfers of €250 grew to €10 000, then €460 000, and ultimately more than €1 million were sent to various accounts.

The woman filed a police report with the Chemnitz criminal department on 4 July. Investigators classified the scheme as a sophisticated AI‑driven fraud and warned that deep‑fake videos of well‑known personalities are increasingly used to extract money. Authorities advise scrutinising high‑return promises, verifying platforms, and reporting suspected scams promptly.