AI Incidents
Real-world cases where AI systems caused harm, classified by risk domain and entity. Data sourced from 
AIID and classified by 
MIT AI Risk Initiative. CC BY-SA 4.0
566 incidents
Chicago Veteran Reportedly Loses $10,000 in Purported Deepfake Cryptocurrency Fraud Posing as Elon Musk
A Chicago-area Vietnam War veteran, Richard Lyons, reportedly lost $10,000 to a cryptocurrency scam that used purported AI voice cloning and fake social media profiles to impersonate Elon Musk. The fraudster allegedly convinced Lyons to invest in bogus cryptocurrency opportunities using fake voice memos, images, and spoofed caller IDs showing "Elon Musk." The scam reportedly involved dozens of messages and deepfake audio files that reinforced the impersonation.
Purported Deepfake Video of Donald Trump at NATO Summit Allegedly Used in YouTube Crypto Scam
Multiple YouTube Live streams reportedly featured a purported AI‑generated deepfake video depicting U.S. President Donald Trump at a NATO Summit press event. In the video, Trump reportedly appears to promote a Bitcoin "double-your-money" offer, directing viewers to scan an on‑screen QR code and send cryptocurrency to a specified address. The video was reportedly not authentic and is alleged to have been part of an ongoing YouTube-based crypto scam campaign.
Purported Widespread Use of AI-Generated Deepfake Videos Impersonate Malaysian Leaders in Investment Scams
Purported AI-generated deepfake videos depicting Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other officials, political leaders, and business leaders have reportedly been used to promote fraudulent investment schemes. A total of 13,956 cases were reported last year, with RM2.11 billion allegedly lost to these scams. Victims were allegedly misled by hyper-realistic fake endorsements circulated via Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Scammers allegedly adapt quickly, generating new deepfakes when content is removed.
Delhi Man Reportedly Arrested for Sharing Purportedly AI-Morphed Obscene Images of Ex-Girlfriend
A 21-year-old man in Delhi was reportedly arrested for allegedly using AI morphing tools to create obscene images of his ex-girlfriend and distributing them through fake Instagram accounts. Police said he impersonated her, used real photos, and targeted her followers to harass and defame her after their breakup. The accused evaded detection by reportedly using multiple unverified Instagram handles.
Preprints Reportedly from Researchers from Multiple Universities Allegedly Contain Covert AI Prompts
Hidden prompts reportedly were discovered in at least 17 academic preprints on arXiv that purportedly instructed AI tools to deliver only positive peer reviews. The lead authors are reportedly affiliated with 14 institutions in eight countries, including Waseda University, KAIST, Peking University, and the University of Washington. The alleged concealed instructions, some of which were reportedly embedded using white text or tiny fonts, were purportedly intended to influence any reviewers who rely on AI tools.
Chinese-Backed Operation Reportedly Used AI-Generated Deepfake Videos of Indian Stock Experts in Investment Fraud Campaign
Mumbai Cyber Police reportedly uncovered a coordinated investment fraud campaign that used purported deepfake videos of Indian stock market experts to mislead investors. Between July 1 and July 18, 2025, the videos reportedly circulated on social media as paid promotions by a Bengaluru-based firm, Valueleaf, allegedly contracted by a Hong Kong company, First Bridge. Four individuals were arrested.
Alleged Unauthorized Deepfake AI Clones of Ravish Kumar Used to Spread Purportedly Fabricated News on YouTube
Prominent Indian journalist Ravish Kumar reported that multiple YouTube channels are using purported deepfakes to mimic his face and voice, spreading fabricated and nonsensical news in his name. Kumar warned viewers not to trust these channels, filed complaints with YouTube, and is awaiting action.
Reported AI-Generated Audio of Ukrainian Commander Andriy Biletsky Used in Russian Disinformation Campaign
In late June 2025, Russian Telegram channels reportedly circulated a video containing a purportedly AI-generated audio track impersonating Ukrainian commander Andrii Biletskyi. The audio clip reportedly claimed Ukrainian authorities deliberately avoid identifying fallen soldiers to withhold compensation. Verification reportedly showed the voice was synthetic and mismatched with original May 16 footage of Biletskyi. Hive Moderation reportedly confirmed the audio was overwhelmingly AI-generated.
Reported Deepfakes of Ukrainian Deputy PM Olha Stefanishyna Allegedly Supporting Fictional Mobilization Plan for Women
In late June 2025, Russian Telegram channels reportedly circulated deepfake videos claiming that Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna backed mandatory mobilization of up to one million Ukrainian women starting September 1. Officials reportedly debunked the claim, confirming no such plans or laws exist. The disinformation operation reportedly aimed to incite panic and destabilize Ukraine's domestic situation.
Purportedly AI-Generated Facebook Video Allegedly Misused Skënder Brataj and Blendi Fevziu to Promote Purported Miracle Cream in Albania
A purportedly manipulated AI-generated video reportedly circulated on Facebook misusing the likenesses of emergency physician Skënder Brataj and journalist Blendi Fevziu to promote a purported "miracle" cream. Reporting indicated that some citizens believed the content and contacted or visited emergency services seeking treatment.
Alleged AI Deepfake Videos Used to Lure Simcoe County, Ontario Residents in Crypto Scam
Multiple residents in Simcoe County, Ontario, have reportedly lost tens of thousands of dollars each after encountering purportedly AI-generated deepfake videos online that depict trusted public figures endorsing crypto investments. According to MP Adam Chambers and local reports, these manipulated ads misled victims into transferring funds through legitimate exchanges to fraudulent wallets.
Alleged Deepfake Videos Impersonate Lithuanian Politicians and Doctors in Purported Cross-Border Scam Network
An alleged series of high-quality AI-generated deepfake videos reportedly mimicked Lithuanian TV segments, politicians, and doctors to promote fraudulent health products and anti-vaccine disinformation. Distributed mainly via Facebook, the videos reportedly reached audiences in up to 15 EU countries. Fact-checkers and cybersecurity experts reportedly described the campaign as part of a coordinated scam network designed to extract money by impersonating trusted public figures and media outlets.
Reportedly Sustained Multi-Celebrity Deepfake Persona Scam Targeting Vulnerable Southampton Resident
Over about five months in 2025, Paul Davis, a Southampton, UK man, reports that he was repeatedly targeted by scammers using purported deepfake videos and images of celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Ellie Goulding. The perpetrators allegedly rotated personas to sustain a romance and prize scam, extracting £200 in gift cards. This case suggests a new shift from one-off celebrity deepfakes to persistent, multi-persona targeting of a single vulnerable victim.
Purported AI-Generated Audio Clip Allegedly Portrays Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen Raising Money for Conflict with Thailand
A video surfaced in late June 2025 reportedly depicting Cambodian Senate President (and former Prime Minister) Hun Sen asking for money to fund a war against Thailand. The clip purportedly repurposed real footage with an AI-generated fake Thai voice track and was shared widely online. Cambodia's Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) reportedly condemned the video as malicious disinformation intended to incite ultra-nationalist sentiment and disrupt diplomatic relations.
Purported AI-Generated Deepfake of Infosys Co-Founder N. R. Narayana Murthy Used in Investment Scam Allegedly Defrauding 79-Year-Old Bengaluru Woman of ₹35 Lakh (~$40,000)
A 79-year-old woman ("Archana") in Bengaluru was reportedly defrauded of ₹35 lakh (~$40,000) in a purportedly AI-enabled investment scam that used deepfake videos of Infosys co-founder N. R. Narayana Murthy to promote a fake trading platform. The scammers allegedly built a convincing website and pressured the victim over eight months to make escalating payments. They allegedly later attempted extortion by threatening her with a fake money-laundering case before police became involved.