The Ministry of Finance and National Planning has warned the public against a fraudulent AI-manipulated video falsely portraying Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, as promoting or endorsing financial and investment propositions.
The Ministry says the video and accompanying audio are fabricated, unauthorized and entirely fake, stressing that Dr. Musokotwane did not record, approve, authorize or participate in the production of the material.
It has urged members of the public to treat any investment proposition, financial solicitation, instruction or statement attributed to the Minister through the manipulated content as fraudulent.
Dr. Musokotwane says he has seen details of the digital account, advertisement and online platform associated with the material and will provide the relevant electronic identifiers and supporting evidence to competent authorities.
He has called on the Zambia Cyber Security Agency, ZICTA, the Zambia Police Service and other relevant authorities to establish the identities of those behind the creation, financing, administration, publication and distribution of the fraudulent material.
The Minister has further called on digital-platform operators to preserve records linked to the offending accounts and advertisements, including registration information, payment records, device information and login records that may assist investigations.
Members of the public have meanwhile been cautioned against sending money or disclosing banking details, passwords, PINs, identity information or other personal data in response to communications associated with the scheme.
The Ministry is also urging anyone who encounters the material to preserve available evidence, including screenshots, and report it to law-enforcement authorities.
Dr. Musokotwane says Artificial Intelligence must not become a tool for fraud, impersonation and public deception, and those who misuse the technology to deceive citizens must be held accountable under the law.
By Rachel Mumba
