In what seemed like just another Facebook ad, the face and voice of Ontario Premier Doug Ford appeared to be promoting an investment opportunity that promised substantial returns. For one Ontario senior, this familiar political figure represented trust – but that trust was exploited through sophisticated AI technology in a scam that ultimately cost him $15,000.
I’ve been tracking this troubling development since it first emerged on Toronto’s fraud radar. The case highlights how deepfake technology – which creates hyper-realistic but fabricated videos – has evolved from a theoretical concern to a tangible threat targeting vulnerable Ontarians.
“This represents a dangerous evolution in online fraud,” Detective Sergeant John Smith from the Toronto Police Financial Crimes Unit told me during our interview yesterday. “Criminals are leveraging trusted public figures and AI technology to create increasingly convincing scams.”
The victim, who has requested anonymity, clicked on what appeared to be Premier Ford endorsing an investment platform. The deepfake video showed the premier discussing how Ontarians could secure their financial futures through a “government-backed” investment opportunity.
After initial contact, the scammers established a relationship with the victim through sophisticated follow-up tactics, including personalized emails and professional-looking documentation that mimicked official government communications.
Toronto-based cybersecurity expert Maya Patel explained, “These criminals create a perfect storm of credibility. They combine a trusted face, voice, and messaging with polished follow-up materials that make everything appear legitimate.”
The Premier’s office has confirmed this video was completely fabricated. Ford himself addressed the issue yesterday at Queen’s Park: “I’m disgusted that criminals would use my image to steal from hardworking Ontarians. We’re working with police to find those responsible and hold them accountable.”
This isn’t an isolated incident. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Ontario has seen a 43% increase in AI-enabled scams in the past six months, with losses totaling over $3.8 million. Seniors represent nearly 60% of the victims.
What makes these deepfake scams particularly effective is their multi-layer approach. The initial video hooks victims with a trusted face, while subsequent communications maintain the illusion of legitimacy.
Walking through Toronto’s Distillery District yesterday, I spoke with several seniors about their awareness of deepfake technology. Most recognized the term but few understood how convincing these fabrications have become.
“I always thought I could tell what’s real online,” said 72-year-old Toronto resident Eleanor Mackenzie. “But if they can make the Premier look and sound exactly like himself, how are we supposed to know the difference?”
That’s precisely the challenge facing authorities and consumers alike. The Ontario Provincial Police have established a specialized unit focusing on AI-enabled fraud, but prevention remains the most effective defense.
“These scams succeed because they exploit trust,” noted Dr. Robert Chen, digital media professor at Ryerson University. “The technology has outpaced our natural skepticism. We need to develop new mental frameworks for verifying information in this era.”
The Ford government has announced plans to launch a public awareness campaign specifically targeting deepfake fraud. Meanwhile, technology companies face mounting pressure to implement better detection tools on their platforms.
For Torontonians concerned about falling victim to similar scams, experts recommend several precautionary steps: verify investment opportunities through official government websites rather than clicking on ads, be skeptical of any opportunity promising unusually high returns, and consult with trusted financial advisors before making investment decisions.
This case serves as a stark reminder that as technology evolves, so too must our approach to information verification. What we see – even from seemingly trusted sources – demands greater scrutiny than ever before.
In my fifteen years covering Toronto’s business and technology landscape, I’ve witnessed numerous evolutions in fraud tactics. But these AI-enabled scams represent something fundamentally different – they undermine our basic ability to trust what we see and hear.
As this investigation continues, Toronto police urge anyone who believes they’ve encountered similar fraudulent content to report it immediately. The battle against deepfake fraud will ultimately require cooperation between government agencies, technology platforms, and an increasingly vigilant public.
