Fabricated news footage
Synthetic media presented as journalism — fabricated broadcast clips, AI-generated war and disaster footage, and entirely invented news anchors delivering scripted disinformation.
407 documented incidents — showing the 100 most recent.
2026· 100 incidents
October 2026
·47- mixedLt Gen Girish Kalia
The Indian Army debunked a deepfake video that used AI-generated lip-syncing and voice cloning to falsely attribute claims about Chinese territorial control.
- videoOlga Loiek
Ukrainian YouTuber Olga Loiek had her likeness cloned into a deepfake avatar on Chinese social media to spread political propaganda without her consent
- mixedLieutenant General Girish Kalia
The Indian Army debunked a deepfake video using AI lip-syncing and voice cloning to falsely attribute fabricated claims about Chinese border control to Lt Gen.
- mixedZaima Rahman
Fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner identified 484 fraudulent social media accounts impersonating Zaima Rahman to distribute AI-generated content
- videoJeremiah Telander
A viral video depicting Tennessee linebacker Jeremiah Telander attacking a fan with a pole was identified as a deepfake following a real on-field altercation
- imageThe author's sister
A Discord user falsely accused a woman of using AI-generated photos to catfish him, leading to the doxxing of her personal information and home address.
- audioYemeni military commanders
The Yemeni Ministry of Defense has issued a warning regarding an AI-driven campaign using voice cloning to impersonate commanders and issue fake orders to.
- videoHimanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared an AI-generated video on his official Instagram account featuring himself and two cabinet ministers dancing to.
- videoLeslie Pickett
A Louisiana woman was defrauded of over $10,000 in a romance scam after an impostor used generative AI to impersonate rock star Jon Bon Jovi in messages and.
- audioFamily members and friends of the author
A cybersecurity journalist tested the effectiveness of AI voice-cloning scams by impersonating themselves in phone calls to five friends and family members
- mixedRebecca Cooke
An ethics complaint was filed against Congressman Derrick Van Orden for allegedly posting undisclosed AI-generated graphics and deepfake videos of political.
- imageLeland Stanford Junior University Marching Band
Stanford University removed an AI-generated image from its Campus Center website after it depicted the marching band as an all-white and all-male group
- mixedFlávio Bolsonaro
The campaign of Flávio Bolsonaro utilized AI-generated avatars and manipulated event photography to artificially inflate crowd sizes and simulate support from.
- imageFrench government
French President Emmanuel Macron has accused foreign leaders of spreading AI-generated images depicting non-existent violence to misrepresent civil unrest in.
- videoIAMDDB
Angolan-Portuguese musician IAMDDB has accused the Israeli government of using an unauthorized AI-generated video that misappropriated her likeness
- imageSaddamhusen Makarani
An Indian citizen was targeted by a malicious AI-manipulated image that falsely depicted him as a Pakistani national to defame his character
- videoPedro Sánchez and members of the Socialist party
Spain's People's Party released an AI-generated campaign video featuring deepfakes of political figures making false confessions ahead of the general election
- imageAndy Cohen
Television host Andy Cohen publicly debunked a viral AI-generated image that falsely depicted him wearing a micro Speedo
- mixedJames Talarico, John Cornyn, Jasmine Crockett
Political advertisements featuring AI-generated images and audio of candidates James Talarico, John Cornyn, and Jasmine Crockett have appeared on television
- imageKim Jong-un
An AI-generated image depicting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a hospital bed was identified and tracked by an authenticity assessment service in October.
- imageAbdel Fattah El-Sisi
The Egyptian government's Chat Egypt AI platform disabled its image-verification feature after failing to identify an AI-generated image of the Pink Panther
- videoCatherine Connolly
During the 2025 Irish presidential election a deepfake video falsely claimed candidate Catherine Connolly had withdrawn from the race
- videoNafisa Fai
A deepfake video of Washington County chair candidate Nafisa Fai went viral on X, falsely depicting her speaking in front of an upside-down U.S. flag
- imageMia Goth
A verified Instagram fan account posted a counterfeit AI-generated image of actress Mia Goth which was falsely reported by media as a real selfie
- mixedJon Bon Jovi
A woman was defrauded of significant funds and faced home foreclosure after being manipulated by a scammer impersonating Jon Bon Jovi for a year
- imageWimal Weerawansa
Former MP Wimal Weerawansa faced criticism after presenting an AI-manipulated photograph during a television discussion to support political allegations
- videoSon Heung-min
The Korea Football Association is taking legal action against the creation and distribution of deepfake videos spreading false rumors about national team.
- imageVen. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara
An AI-generated image falsely depicted a massive crowd participating in a protest march supporting the release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara
- mixedBill Gates
A viral deepfake video falsely depicts Bill Gates warning of mass mortality due to water shortages to promote a crypto asset
- videoVikki Goodwin
Democratic candidate Vikki Goodwin filed a police report against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick regarding AI-generated deepfake videos posted on X
- imageVC Sajjanar
Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar publicly addressed the circulation of an AI-generated image that falsely depicted him making an arrest
- videoBenjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu utilized an AI-generated Lego-themed animation on social media to present his government perspective on the conflict.
- videoLaurens ten Dam
A viral video depicting cycling coach Laurens ten Dam dancing on a DJ table has circulated online, with observers suggesting the footage is likely.
- videoDhiraj Seth
A manipulated video falsely depicted Indian Army Chief Dhiraj Seth dancing with an officer's wife while incorrectly attributing the footage to a CNN report
- imageBrendan Loper
ChatGPT was found generating cartoons in the style of The New Yorker and autonomously adding forged signatures of real artists like Brendan Loper to the.
- videoDelhi Police
Delhi Police arrested YouTuber Nadeem Ahmed for creating and circulating AI-generated footage depicting a police officer misbehaving with a woman to incite.
- videoLabour Party councillor in Scotland
The Oversight Board ordered Meta to remove an AI-generated deepfake of a Scottish councillor that used hate speech to misrepresent her views on refugees
- mixedPiyush Goyal
A deepfake video of Union Minister Piyush Goyal was circulated on social media to falsely depict him making threatening remarks against protesters
- imageArmed Forces of Ukraine
Russian Telegram channels are circulating AI-generated images falsely depicting Ukrainian women being forcibly drafted to sow panic and discredit military.
- imageBrown Brothers Media
Brown Brothers Media operated a network of news sites using AI-generated headshots and fake bylines to create deceptive content and manipulate search engine.
- imageMoroccan dissidents
A fake journalist persona named Daniel Robson used AI-generated imagery to infiltrate news organizations and publish content targeting Moroccan dissidents
- mixedFlyDubai
A viral video falsely claiming to show an argument between FlyDubai pilots was debunked as an AI-generated fabrication using repurposed audio from 2017
- videoThe Running Week followers
The Running Week uses AI-generated personas to pose as expert Kenyan coaches to sell training books and plans to hundreds of thousands of followers
- videoPrestone Tynsong and Vivek Syiem
An AI-generated deepfake video falsely linked Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and SP Vivek Syiem to illegal money collection allegations
- imageNarendra Modi and Abiy Ahmed
A fabricated front page of The Times of India featuring an AI-generated image of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- videoIndian national
A sophisticated deepfake video mimicking a BBC news report falsely accused an Indian national of attempting to hijack a Flydubai flight
- mixedBBC News
A deepfake video mimicking a BBC News report was circulated on X following an incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 using AI-manipulated footage
September 2026
·53- imageOttawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette, Policy Options, and other Canadian media outlets
Multiple Canadian media outlets retracted articles after discovering that a journalist persona named Daniel Robson was likely an AI-generated fabrication
- videoPhagwara SP Major Singh
A deepfake video of Phagwara SP Major Singh was used to spread false claims about a rape case at Lovely Professional University to incite campus protests
- imageHicham Jerando
A fabricated AI-generated persona named Daniel Robson infiltrated Canadian media to publish disinformation targeting Moroccan dissidents and their business.
- imageJoko Widodo
An AI-generated image falsely depicting former Indonesian president Joko Widodo presenting his university diploma was debunked as synthetic content
- imageVirginia State University
A viral AI-generated image falsely depicted the Virginia State University marching band performing a tribute formation for Nolan Wells
- imageCarcross/Tagish First Nation
A website named WE NEWS used generative AI to create fake journalist personas and misappropriate the identity of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation
- video46th Separate Airborne Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Russian propagandists disseminated an AI-generated deepfake video depicting soldiers from the 46th Separate Airborne Brigade falsely claiming they were.
- mixedDr. François Marquis and Dr. Bonnie Henry
Prominent Canadian physicians including Dr. François Marquis and Dr.
- imageKara Swisher
Author Kara Swisher identified unauthorized AI-generated biographies of herself appearing on Amazon that mimicked her real book covers to deceive readers
- imageitel
A social media user issued a public apology after admitting to using artificial intelligence to create and circulate a fake image of an itel Power Tank.
- videoBola Ahmed Tinubu
A viral video falsely depicting the destruction of a campaign vehicle belonging to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was identified as AI-generated content
- videoMother Jones
Russian disinformation operators utilized a deepfake video featuring the Mother Jones editor-in-chief to spread fabricated claims about the DNC and CNN.
- mixedKorean streamers
Korean streamers are facing targeted cyberbullying and harassment through the creation of AI-generated deepfakes amid ongoing tensions with the Vietnamese.
- videoIndividual romance scam victim
A romance scam victim recounts how a perpetrator used a deceptive video call and emotional manipulation to impersonate a romantic partner online
- videoRTP and SIC Notícias
AI-generated videos impersonating Portuguese media outlets RTP and SIC Notícias are spreading false footage of far-right protests across Europe to manipulate.
- imageSamagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)
AI-generated images falsely depicting drone footage of an SJB political protest were circulated on social media to misrepresent crowd sizes at the event
- imageSital Punja
Labour councillor Sital Punja calls for stronger AI regulations after the Hillingdon Conservative Party posted AI-generated caricatures of her online
- mixedFerdinand Marcos Jr. and Martin Romualdez
A viral video falsely claiming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Martin Romualdez that his arrest was staged has been confirmed as AI-generated
- imageMasoud Pezeshkian
An AI-generated image falsely depicted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian holding a pink school bag during his UN General Assembly speech to spread.
- mixedTom Holland and Zendaya
Content creator Hafiz M details the AI tools used to produce a viral video depicting Tom Holland and Zendaya in a traditional South Indian wedding ceremony
- mixedRobin Williams
Zelda Williams has publicly condemned the creation and circulation of an AI-generated deepfake video depicting her late father discussing conspiracy theories
- videoDundee councillor
A Dundee councillor was targeted by a convincing AI deepfake video on Facebook that falsely depicted her welcoming individuals with inflammatory labels
- mixedTilly Norwood
On September 21 2026 AI actress Tilly Norwood experienced a technical glitch during a Piers Morgan Uncensored interview by switching from English to Cantonese
- imageCNN, MSNBC, Politico
Donald Trump utilized an AI-generated image on Truth Social to depict CNN, MSNBC, and Politico as trash bags following a White House press access ban
- videoChongtham Vikram Singh
Times Now utilized generative AI to create a hyper-realistic simulation of the mob lynching of Chongtham Vikram Singh, sparking widespread ethical concerns.
- mixedChen Su-yueh, William Lai, Hau Lung-bin, Liu Tsai-wei, Ko Wen-je
Taiwanese authorities are launching a crackdown on AI-generated deepfakes targeting political candidates ahead of upcoming year-end local elections
- videoJD Vance
A viral video circulating in September 2026 depicting Vice President JD Vance asking for a second chance was confirmed to be an AI-generated fabrication
- mixedU.S. military
An AI-generated intelligence report falsely claiming a Chinese ship carried nuclear components prompted U.S.
- imageIslamabad authorities
An AI-generated image falsely depicting shipping containers blocking roads in Islamabad circulated on social media ahead of a political protest in September.
- videoÉdouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Raphaël Glucksmann
Russian disinformation networks are leveraging deepfakes and fabricated media to target French presidential contenders and undermine electoral trust ahead of.
- videoAnthony Albanese and Dick Smith
Australian financial scams have increasingly utilized deepfake footage of public figures like Anthony Albanese and Dick Smith to deceive victims
- videoBritish politician
Meta has been ordered by its independent oversight board to remove a deepfake video of a British politician that falsely depicted her making inflammatory.
- videoLabour Party councillor in Scotland and a Muslim campaigner in Europe
Meta removed two AI-generated deepfake videos targeting women after the Oversight Board ruled the company's existing safeguards were fundamentally inadequate
- imageLeah Qammaniq
We-News uses an AI correspondent named Leah Qammaniq to repackage and republish copyrighted news stories from northern Canadian media outlets
- imageFlamingo Revolution protesters
The Flamingo Revolution in Albania faces digital warfare through AI-generated deepfakes and coordinated social media censorship of activists and journalists
- videoRodrigo Duterte
A viral video falsely depicting former President Rodrigo Duterte thanking supporters following his ICC appearance has been confirmed as AI-generated
- mixedEmma Caulfield, Alyson Hannigan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Ed Begley Jr., Eric Roberts
Russian disinformation actors utilized deepfake videos of celebrities including Emma Caulfield and Alyson Hannigan to spread political propaganda
- videoCongress
State officials warn of a viral AI-generated video scam falsely claiming that Congress created a property tax freeze program for senior citizens
- mixedAlyson Hannigan, Emma Caulfield, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Ed Begley Jr, Eric Roberts, Jon Ossoff, James Talarico
Russian disinformation operation Matryoshka targets US midterms using deepfake celebrity videos and unauthorized CNN branding to smear Democratic candidates
- imageRaphael Warnock
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is calling for legislative AI guardrails after sophisticated deepfake images falsely suggesting he underwent surgery circulated.
- videoRandhir Jaiswal
A deepfake video falsely claimed Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was questioned about eating nuts during the BRICS Summit
- videoNeymar da Silva Santos Júnior
A viral video falsely claiming to show footballer Neymar posing with a real woman has been debunked as a digital manipulation featuring an AI-generated figure
- imageVladimir Putin, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Cyril Ramaphosa, Ebrahim Raisi
An AI-generated selfie showing world leaders at the 2026 BRICS Summit went viral despite featuring deceased individuals and officials not in attendance
- mixedDonald Trump
An AI-generated livestream featuring a deepfake of Donald Trump recently appeared on YouTube to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency double-your-money scam
- audioHouthi commander
On September 12, 2026, a pro-Houthi journalist disseminated an AI-generated voice clone of a Houthi commander to trigger a retreat at the port of Mocha
- imageSri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
Following the SLPP rally in Anuradhapura on September 12 2026 misleading images including AI-generated content and photos from a Bangladesh rally went viral
- imageMyanmar military
An AI-generated image falsely depicting a drone attack on a Myanmar military air base circulated online following real military activity in September 2026
- mixedAlphonso Davies
An offshore gambling site used AI-generated deepfakes to falsely claim the father of soccer star Alphonso Davies won millions in an Instagram scam ad
- mixedSarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Emma Caulfield, Christopher Lloyd, Ed Begley Jr., Chris Pappas, James Talarico, Jon Ossoff, Mary Peltola, Roy Cooper, Sherrod Brown
A Kremlin-backed disinformation campaign is using AI-cloned celebrity voices and unauthorized news branding to spread false narratives targeting U.S.
- imageSikh American community
The US Department of Homeland Security removed an AI-generated advertisement from X following backlash over its targeting of Indian-origin and Sikh truck
- mixedRuna Laila
Tani Laila is calling for social media users to report AI-generated content spreading false rumors about the health and death of her mother, singer Runa Laila
- videounspecified female cricket player
A viral video depicting a female cricketer performing a 360-degree catch has been debunked as AI-generated content by the CyberPeace Foundation
- mixedAzzghim
Conflict in Mali is being reshaped by AI-driven information warfare including deepfakes and fake online personas used by various warring factions