The Unwanted Deepfake: Owen’s Accidental Invasion of Privacy
Imagine you’re just scrolling on your phone, and before you know it, your face is in a porn video that never existed. That’s exactly what happened to 20‑year‑old Singaporean Owen, who found himself in the center of a deepfake crisis after a mysterious overseas call.
The Unexpected Call and the First Red Flag
- Owen answered a random UK number while snoring—apparently his phone was being policed by a hacker.
- Within seconds, the intruder scrambled his device, siphoning contact lists and media files.
- That stolen data was used to graft Owen’s likeness onto a pornographic clip that was never shot with his consent.
His unfamiliar contact Ednes Lee received the video on April 21 and immediately posted her disbelief on Facebook. The post read:
“BRB (Be right back), time to go wash my eyes. The person literally sent me the whole damn video to see if I recognise him. Oh dear god.”
Enter the “Hacker” – The Deepfake Mastermind
Days later, Owen’s police report revealed his side of the story. According to him:
“I was sleeping. I never opened my eyes then I answered already… I thought it’s my manager calling me.” He claimed that the brief interaction was enough to give the hacker a foothold.
This user, who identified himself in the message thread as Lori, threatened to unleash the footage unless Owen paid a hefty sum. In Chinese, Lori warned:
“It will only infuriate me and I will make your reputation suffer more. As long as you listen to us and pay a small fee, we will delete the footage and not bother you.”
The Chain Reaction
Owen’s statement—alongside a mention that friends had been entrapped in this same scheme—prompted a police investigation after he filed a formal report. The incident is a stark reminder of how deepfake technology can be weaponised.
Beyond the Gamer’s Meme: Deepfake’s Dark Side
While some folks delight in AI‑crafted memes, history shows more sinister uses:
- In March 2019, fraudsters nudged a UK energy firm’s CEO into making a fraudulent transfer of $243,000 (≈ S$336,000).
- Similarly, the deepfake that targeted Owen is a clear example of AI masquerading as reality.
Takeaway
Deepfake tech isn’t just a joke for gamers, it can be a bullet in someone’s mouth. If you ever think your phone might be targeting you, keep your software updated, beware of strange calls, and remember that your privacy is a right.
For more unsettling stories on how AI is blurring the line between truth and fiction, stay tuned.\
Email for further details: [email protected]
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The Unwanted Deepfake: Owen’s Accidental Invasion of Privacy
Imagine you’re just scrolling on your phone, and before you know it, your face is in a porn video that never existed. That’s exactly what happened to 20‑year‑old Singaporean Owen, who found himself in the center of a deepfake crisis after a mysterious overseas call.
The Unexpected Call and the First Red Flag
- Owen answered a random UK number while snoring—apparently his phone was being policed by a hacker.
- Within seconds, the intruder scrambled his device, siphoning contact lists and media files.
- That stolen data was used to graft Owen’s likeness onto a pornographic clip that was never shot with his consent.
His unfamiliar contact Ednes Lee received the video on April 21 and immediately posted her disbelief on Facebook. The post read:
“BRB (Be right back), time to go wash my eyes. The person literally sent me the whole damn video to see if I recognise him. Oh dear god.”
Enter the “Hacker” – The Deepfake Mastermind
Days later, Owen’s police report revealed his side of the story. According to him:
“I was sleeping. I never opened my eyes then I answered already… I thought it’s my manager calling me.” He claimed that the brief interaction was enough to give the hacker a foothold.
This user, who identified himself in the message thread as Lori, threatened to unleash the footage unless Owen paid a hefty sum. In Chinese, Lori warned:
“It will only infuriate me and I will make your reputation suffer more. As long as you listen to us and pay a small fee, we will delete the footage and not bother you.”
The Chain Reaction
Owen’s statement—alongside a mention that friends had been entrapped in this same scheme—prompted a police investigation after he filed a formal report. The incident is a stark reminder of how deepfake technology can be weaponised.
Beyond the Gamer’s Meme: Deepfake’s Dark Side
While some folks delight in AI‑crafted memes, history shows more sinister uses:
- In March 2019, fraudsters nudged a UK energy firm’s CEO into making a fraudulent transfer of $243,000 (≈ S$336,000).
- Similarly, the deepfake that targeted Owen is a clear example of AI masquerading as reality.
Takeaway
Deepfake tech isn’t just a joke for gamers, it can be a bullet in someone’s mouth. If you ever think your phone might be targeting you, keep your software updated, beware of strange calls, and remember that your privacy is a right.
For more unsettling stories on how AI is blurring the line between truth and fiction, stay tuned.
Email for further details: [email protected]
