AAP FACTCHECK – The former head of Australia’s stock market operator has set up a WhatsApp channel to provide investment advice, social media video ads claim.
But the video being shared is a fake that has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The video appears to have used a real clip of the then-Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) chief executive Dominic Stevens speaking about his decision to step down in 2022, but his words have been edited.
A Facebook page has been posting a video purportedly showing Mr Stevens speaking about a new WhatsApp group, in sponsored ads since June 1, 2024.
“If you wanna know more, please join my WhatsApp group. I will share the five most worth buying stocks for free every day in the WhatsApp group,” he says in the suspicious clip.
But the audio in the video is fabricated.
The biggest clue is that Mr Stevens’ mouth doesn’t move in time with his purported words. The video is also low-resolution.
The manipulated clip appears to be from a genuine 2022 Sky News Australia interview with the then-ASX boss about his decision to step down.
In the real video, he makes no mention of any WhatsApp group.
The Sky News banner announcing “ASX CEO DOMINIC STEVENS TO RETIRE” in the original has also clearly been altered in the fake to read: “The Best High Dividend Stocks to Invest in 2024.”
The banner text in the latter is also in title case, which is not the broadcaster’s style.
The Australian newspaper reported on the same fake video in April and the Australian Financial Review has also reported on it.
HOW TO SPOT A DEEPFAKE ON FACEBOOK – THE RED FLAGS
Treat posts appearing to show well-known figures and celebrities promoting new products with caution if they include more than one of the following features:
* The people speak with unusual pauses, stilted speech patterns or inconsistent accents.
* Their mouth movements aren’t in time with their speech, or their facial expressions and movements don’t match their speech tone.
* The videos are low-resolution or stutter.
* The source and/or context of the video is unclear.
The Verdict
The claim that a video shows former ASX chief executive Dominic Stevens spruiking a WhatsApp investment advice group is false.
The video is fake and has been created using AI technology.
False – The claim is inaccurate.
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