China AI face-swapping scam deceives man using fake doctor persona

A man in China was defrauded of 170,000 yuan after being deceived by an online persona claiming to be a young, famous doctor. The victim, a contractor identified as Liu Hui, met the individual, referred to as Vu Tu Tran, on a social media platform in 2021.

The persona claimed to be born in 1992 and worked at a top-tier hospital, using nearly 7,000 videos to build a following of tens of thousands. Liu Hui was lured by the prospect of securing hospital construction projects through the persona's alleged influence. Over a five-month period, the victim transferred funds under the guise of romantic pursuit and requests for dowries and real estate in Shanghai.

Following police investigation, it was revealed that the persona was actually a 65-year-old hospital janitor. The scam utilized AI face-swapping technology to maintain the illusion of a young doctor.