Financial scam: Taoiseach accent red flags missed as viewers watch video without sound

Taoiseach urges extra care online after he himself was used in the latest scam financial scam video

Taoiseach Michéal Martin reviews a financial scam video where his own image was used.

Irish social media users face added risk of being duped by financial scam videos because they watch with the sound down and don't hear voice clues that a video is a fake. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called for extra care online after his image was used in the latest scam financial scam video targeting Irish social media users. The latest scam doing the rounds uses a manipulated image of Mr Martin offering big financial returns for a €250 investment. Mr Martin's voice appears to have an English accent in the video but the image is convincing.

"The videos are really good. There might be a slightly nuance in accent but these days a lot of people are watching on their phones, with the phone on silent. They are using subtitles, so might not pick up on this," said Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime with the Banking and Payments Federation. 

Earlier this month, BPFI said there had been a recent surge in AI-generated online adverts promoting bogus state-backed investment schemes, and expects this to be ramped up. Tánaiste and finance minister Simon Harris admits he had to watch a video twice after his image was used in a video earlier this month.  

After this week's video, Mr Martin called for increased vigilance of financial scams online. "This is clearly very false material, pertaining to myself, illustrative of the kind of manipulation and distortion that can take place on social media and a reminder to us all to be vigilant on social media, and to take care, and to the platforms, to also make sure such material never gets online and is taken offline as soon as it is identified," said Mr Martin. 

In the video, the voice masquerading as Mr Martin said: "I've proven that anyone can earn €40,000 at any age, with just a phone and €250. This evening you will see your first €1,000 profit in your account or I'll personally refund you €10,000."