…the fraudulent video, circulating on Facebook, falsely portrays President Tinubu endorsing a Ponzi Scheme.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Federal Government has raised an alarm over a fake, AI-generated advertisement featuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning Nigerians to steer clear of the deceptive Ponzi scheme it promotes.
The fraudulent video, which has been circulating on Facebook, falsely portrays President Tinubu endorsing a Ponzi scheme, an investment platform. Authorities say the ad was neither vetted nor approved by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), the statutory body responsible for regulating advertising content in the country.
“This is to inform the general public to beware of a fake AI-generated advertisement using the image and video of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in soliciting for investment in a Ponzi scheme,” read a statement signed by ARCON’s Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo.
The agency, which operates under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, described the ad as a clear violation of the Advertising Regulatory Act No. 23 of 2022. It warned that anyone found guilty of publishing or disseminating such unauthorized content would face legal consequences.
“The violation of the requisite provisions of Act No. 23 of 2022 will attract sanctions in accordance with the law,” the statement warned.
ARCON further clarified that the video in question was never submitted for vetting a mandatory requirement for all advertisements nor was it granted any form of clearance by the Council.
The Council reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the public from misleading, unethical, and exploitative content. It also urged media platforms and content creators to remain vigilant and uphold advertising standards rooted in truth and consumer protection.
“The Council is fully committed to fostering an advertising environment that protects the rights of consumers and promotes ethical messaging. We urge all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the principles of responsible advertising,” Fadolapo concluded.
As the use of artificial intelligence in content creation becomes increasingly sophisticated, regulatory agencies are now facing new challenges in monitoring and controlling deceptive media especially those that weaponize trust in public figures to exploit unsuspecting citizens.
