Deepfake Scams Target Flood Relief Donors

A New Wave of Deception

In the aftermath of the devastating Hill Country floods, a new and insidious threat emerged. While communities were reeling from the disaster, scammers were launching sophisticated campaigns using AI-generated deepfakes. Hundreds of fabricated photos and videos flooded social media, depicting heart-wrenching scenes and even celebrities like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes supposedly on the ground, offering aid. These images were designed for one purpose: to exploit the public's generosity and steal donations intended for victims.

How the Deepfake Scams Operate

The individuals behind these posts were not good Samaritans; they were cybercriminals aiming to profit from tragedy. Experts warn that what you see online is not always real. Seok Kang, director of digital initiatives at The University of Texas at San Antonio, explained, “People have a high attention to this issue, natural disasters in Texas. They target that, and then they really make people fall for it.”

The I-Team uncovered dozens of Facebook pages promoting these AI-generated images, many of which had amassed tens of thousands of followers. These pages mixed fake celebrity photos with real flood scenes to appear legitimate. The ultimate goal was to drive traffic to fraudulent donation links. When investigated, these links were flagged as unsafe by computer security systems.

Christopher Schwartz, a research scientist at the Rochester Institute of Technology, notes that these scams prey on our best intentions. “They’re trying to make a profit off of people by redirecting their good intentions to fake donation campaigns,” he said. “A lot of the stuff preys on your very human initial reactions, your desire to be a good person.”

The Psychology Behind the Scams

This tactic of using AI to manipulate emotions during disasters is not new. To make the scams more believable, perpetrators often employ a technique called the “truth sandwich.” This involves placing a fake image between two real photos to exploit the brain's intuitive sense of reality. Some scammers even altered real pictures of victims to enhance the perceived authenticity.

Investigations into the origins of these scam pages revealed a global operation. While many pages listed local business addresses, Facebook's transparency tools showed they were being managed from countries like Vietnam. “They use foreign servers, so it is really hard to trace, and then they provide that kind of donation link,” Kang added.

How to Protect Yourself and Donate Safely

While AI technology is rapidly improving, there are still ways to spot fakes. Look for common glitches in AI-generated images, such as distorted hands or limbs, misspelled text, and unnaturally smooth or airbrushed features. However, the most effective defense is education and caution.

Experts urge everyone to pause and verify before donating. Here are some key steps to take:

• Verify the Fundraiser: Ensure the organization is a legitimate, registered charity.
• Check the URL: Double-check the website address to make sure it's correct and secure.
• Use Transparency Tools: On social media, look into who is actually running the page or group before trusting it.

If you encounter a suspicious page on Facebook, you can report it directly through their Help Center. Following reports from the I-Team, Meta, Facebook's parent company, removed several pages that violated its integrity policies.

Verified Channels for Your Support

To ensure your contribution goes to those who truly need it, consider donating through these vetted organizations providing relief to Hill Country flood victims:

1. Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country – Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: A registered 501(c)(3) that distributes funds to local organizations involved in rescue, relief, and rebuilding.

2. Kerrville Area Rebuilding and Recovery Fund: Established by the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses affected by the floods.

3. Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR): Supports the deployment of rescue teams throughout the affected areas.

4. GoFundMe Verified Flood Campaigns: A curated page of fundraisers for individuals and families that have been vetted by GoFundMe’s Trust & Safety team.

5. Heaven's 27 Fund: Created by the families of the 27 Camp Mystic girls affected by the flood, this fund distributes donations equally to each family to support community-focused initiatives in their names.