Farage says Reform has contacted X 'to highest level' over fake AI ads - BBC

In June 2024, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey were featured in a series of AI-generated advertisements on the social media platform X. These deceptive posts depicted the two men in fabricated, aggressive scenarios, including arguments and physical altercations on a set resembling BBC Question Time.

What happened

The AI-generated content showed the two public figures in various fake scenarios, with some imagery displaying visible bruising on their faces. The ads were repeatedly shown to UK users, appearing to feature both men lunging at each other. Farage noted that while he and Bailey have had historical disagreements, the content was entirely fabricated. Despite the AI nature of the media, Farage remarked that the videos looked realistic in every way.

Many of the advertisements were posted by accounts displaying blue checkmarks, indicating a subscription to X’s Premium tier. Some of these posts included a fake "play" button to entice clicks. Upon investigation, it was discovered that these links directed users to websites promoting cryptocurrency trading schemes or applications. The Bank of England has officially clarified that neither the institution nor its staff endorse or advertise such products, warning that these scams are designed to criminally exploit the public.

Following the discovery, Reform UK contacted X at the highest level to request the immediate removal of the content. The Bank of England also issued a public statement urging users to report the fraudulent posts to assist authorities in identifying the perpetrators. The incident highlights the growing prevalence of AI-driven impersonation scams targeting high-profile figures to facilitate financial fraud.