South Florida immigration lawyer's identity cloned with artificial intelligence - NBC 6 South…

South Florida immigration attorney Ángel Leal has become the target of an extensive identity theft campaign, with criminals utilizing AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate him and defraud vulnerable migrants. These sophisticated scams exploit the attorney’s image, voice, and name to solicit illicit payments for fraudulent legal services.

What happened

The attack relies on a combination of AI-synthesized media and predatory social engineering. Criminals have created numerous fake videos featuring a digital replica of Leal, which are distributed across social media platforms. These videos often leverage high-pressure tactics, such as claiming a family member has been detained or promising guaranteed immigration benefits like work permits or return pathways for those previously deported.

Once potential victims are hooked by the deepfake content, they are directed to contact a WhatsApp number. Through this channel, the scammers request payments via platforms like Zelle or Venmo. The operation is so widespread that over 6,454 fake profiles linked to these scams have been removed since March. Some victims have suffered severe consequences, including receiving deportation orders after paying for services that were never actually filed.

The fraudulent videos often include fabricated testimonials and even feature individuals appearing to be ICE agents or police officers to establish false credibility. In response, Leal has hired a digital piracy firm to combat the impersonations and is working with both federal and local law enforcement. Experts advise the public to verify legal services directly with an attorney’s office and avoid untraceable payment methods, recommending credit cards instead to ensure better fraud protection.