Hong Kong actor Louis Koo, most famous for his roles in movies like Paradox and Warriors of Future, recently fell victim to AI-enabled fraud when a deepfake video featuring his image and voice unlawfully advertised a Malaysian online gambling platform. The actor has publicly disavowed any association with the website, advising fans to be cautious of online scams.
The Actor Threatens Legal Action
The deepfake video falsely depicts Louis Koo as a spokesperson for RWS77, an online betting platform, using sophisticated AI technology to replicate his facial expressions, voice, and mannerisms. The manipulated video also incorporates footage from his previous films, adding authenticity to the deception and making it almost impossible to detect for individuals unfamiliar with the technology.
In the video, the AI-generated version of Koo introduces himself and praises the RWS77 platform, describing it as “fun, safe, and easy to win money on.” In response to the fraudulent video, Louis Koo and his management team swiftly issued an official statement denying any affiliation with the gambling site.
The online gaming platform RWS77 falsely claims that Mr. Louis Koo is their 2025 to 2026 brand spokesperson. Mr. Koo has never endorsed RWS77 or promoted their business.
Louis Koo management team statement
Koo and his team were adamant that any parties misusing the actor’s name or likeness for fraudulent or false promotion would face legal action. They reminded fans and viewers to treat suspicious marketing materials with caution and avoid being misled. Unfortunately, AI-powered scams have become increasingly common in recent years, especially in the online gambling space.
AI-Powered Fraud Is a Growing Global Concern
This newest deepfake controversy highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence in online gambling scams. Cybersecurity company Group-IB recently identified over 1,300 scam gambling sites and 500 fake ads using similar deepfake videos, AI-generated voiceovers in multiple languages and manipulated customer reviews to AI methods to produce hyper-realistic endorsements and deceive unwitting users.
The primary objective is often to deceive users into downloading gambling applications laden with malware, which subsequently compromises their personal and financial information. Sumsub, a leading identity verification company, revealed that nearly half (47%) of European online gambling operators lost over 10% of their turnover to fraud in 2024.
This newest incident highlights the pressing necessity for more stringent regulations and additional fraud prevention within the iGaming industry. With the evolution of artificial intelligence technology, criminals find new ways to manipulate public trust. Louis Koo’s case is a cautionary tale for celebrities, companies, and consumers to remain vigilant against potential scams.
