The Federal Government has cautioned Nigerians to disregard a fake advertisement circulating on social media that uses artificial intelligence to impersonate President Bola Tinubu in promoting a Ponzi scheme.
The government described the advert, which has been trending on Facebook, as fraudulent and a dangerous tool of misinformation deliberately designed to deceive unsuspecting citizens.
The Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, issued the warning in a statement on Thursday.
“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,” Fadolapo said.
ARCON, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, clarified that the advert was never submitted for vetting, nor was it approved for broadcast in Nigeria.
The council further warned that those behind the fake content were in violation of the provisions of the ARCON Act No. 23 of 2022, stressing that sanctions would follow in line with the law.
While urging media owners, advertisers and the general public to exercise vigilance, the DG restated ARCON’s commitment to building an ethical advertising space that protects Nigerian consumers from deception and fraud.
He added that only truthful, responsible and approved adverts will be allowed in circulation going forward.
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