A deepfake video falsely claiming Taoiseach Micheál Martin can help people make thousands of euro from a €250 investment has sparked fresh warnings about the growing threat of AI scams online.

The manipulated video, which has been circulating on social media, uses artificial intelligence to create a convincing likeness of the Taoiseach as he appears to promote a get-rich-quick scheme.

In the fake clip, an AI-generated version of Martin tells viewers: ‘I’ve proven that anyone can earn €40,000 at any age with just a phone and €250. By this evening, you’ll see your first €1,000 profit in your account, or I’ll personally refund you €10,000.’

‘Beware of deepfakes and scams online,’ he warned in a social media post.

‘A fake video of me is circulating promoting a financial scam. This is completely false. Please be vigilant and always take care online.’

In the accompanying video, the Taoiseach described the clip as an example of the dangers posed by increasingly sophisticated AI technology.

‘So this is clearly very false material, pertaining to myself, illustrative of the 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,’ Martin said.

He also called on social media platforms to do more to prevent such content from spreading.

Ireland
Micheal Martin. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

‘And for the platforms, to make sure that such material never gets online. And that it’s taken offline as soon as it’s identified.’

While the deepfake might have been realistic enough to fool some viewers at first glance, many social media users quickly spotted a major flaw that became the source of widespread amusement online.

The AI-generated Martin speaks with an English accent – a detail that immediately raised eyebrows among Irish viewers familiar with the Cork native’s distinctive voice.

Comments flooded in beneath the post, with many joking that while artificial intelligence may be advancing rapidly, it still has one major limitation.

‘AI can’t master the Cork accent,’ one commenter joked.