Gareth Wyn Jones, known for his role in the TV show “The Family Farm,” recently faced a troubling deepfake extortion scheme demanding £2,000. The 58-year-old influencer shared his encounter with an AI-generated deepfake video depicting him in a fabricated intimate encounter with an unidentified woman.
The blackmailers threatened to release the manipulated footage online unless Gareth paid the hefty sum. Rather than complying, Gareth chose to stand firm and consider legal action against the perpetrators. Describing the ordeal as “very scary,” the BBC personality aimed to caution others about falling victim to similar scams, stressing the importance of resilience in such situations.
Despite the pressure from the blackmailers, Gareth, affectionately known as “the nation’s favourite farmer,” remained resolute in his refusal to comply. He highlighted the baseless nature of the video, asserting that no such encounter ever took place, emphasizing the use of AI technology in the deception.
Living in north Wales with his family, Gareth’s ordeal originated from an online interaction where an individual initially offered goats for sale at a minimal price. Subsequently, the situation escalated as the account’s identity shifted, leading to the extortion attempt.
Reflecting on the incident, Gareth mentioned the attempt to deceive him with a poorly executed AI clip, a tactic also reported by others who had encountered similar scams. With a substantial social media following and having presented the BBC documentary series “The Family Farm,” Gareth took to social media to alert his audience about the dangers of such fraudulent activities, urging vigilance and caution.
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