Manga Artist Scammed by Deepfake Mark Ruffalo Impersonator
Manga artist Chikae Ide falls victim to a devastating scam, losing over half a million dollars after being deceived by a deepfake impersonation of actor Mark Ruffalo. The scammer posed as Ruffalo in an online romance scam, exploiting Ide’s trust and manipulating her emotionally to extort money.
Manga Artist Falls Victim to Deepfake Scam
Manga artist Chikae Ide has fallen victim to a devastating scam, losing over half a million U.S. dollars after being deceived by a deepfake impersonation of actor Mark Ruffalo. The Asahi Shimbun has reported that Ide, known for her manga works such as Viva! Volleyball, was targeted in an online romance scam where the scammer posed as the famous Hulk actor.
( Credit to: Screenrant )
Deepfakes, which involve the use of artificial intelligence to superimpose someone’s face onto another person’s body in a video, have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. This technology has been used for various purposes, including political manipulation and altering iconic movie scenes. However, one of the more sinister applications of deepfakes is the ability to deceive individuals into believing they are interacting with someone else, as was the case with Chikae Ide.
( Credit to: Screenrant )
The Deceptive Online Relationship
In a cautionary tale recounted by Misako Takahashi in The Asahi Shimbun, Ide reveals how she was contacted on Facebook by someone claiming to be Mark Ruffalo. The imposter successfully built an emotional connection with Ide, eventually leading to a romantic online relationship. The scammer even went as far as video calling Ide to further convince her of his authenticity. Unbeknownst to Ide, the person on the other end was using deepfake technology to convincingly portray the actor.
The scammer exploited Ide’s trust and continuously asked for large sums of money, manipulating her emotionally by claiming to need funds for a plane ticket, hospital bills, and personal financial difficulties. Ide, unaware of the deception, sent her hard-earned money from her career and sponsorships to her “husband,” who even went as far as faking a cancer diagnosis to extort more money from her.
The Intervention and Aftermath
Fortunately, Ide’s daughter intervened and, after some investigation, sent the deepfake Ruffalo 200,000 yen to test if he would return the money as promised. The imposter failed to do so, leading to the end of the relationship. Despite efforts by the police, the scammer has not been apprehended.
Turning her painful experience into a creative outlet, Ide transformed the ordeal into a novel and manga titled “Poison Love.” Through this fictional work, she hopes to raise awareness and caution others about the dangers of falling victim to scams like the one she experienced.
Ide expressed her determination to repay her friends who lent her money, stating that she will continue to draw manga until her last breath. This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by deepfake technology. While the real Mark Ruffalo had no involvement in the scam, the deepfake was convincing enough to deceive the unsuspecting manga artist. It is a tragic reminder of how easily individuals can be exploited through advanced technological manipulation.
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