River Cree Resort & Casino targeted by AI scam ads

An Edmonton-area casino is warning the public of fake advertisements on social media.

As AI continues to evolve, so do the scams.

A former CityNews journalist was the target of a recent AI scam; the scammers used AI to alter footage from an old report. The story was about the pandemic and had been altered to promote a fraudulent online betting site.

“To see yourself on that, being used in a way where your voice is saying something you never said is scary,” said Baily Nitti, former CityNews journalist.

Nitti was shocked when CityNews showed her the video. Her image, just one of a number of fake social media ads that have been plaguing the River Cree resort and Casino west of Edmonton for over a year.

“It’s not just us, it’s other big brands,” said Vik Mahajan, CEO of River Cree Resort and Casino.

The River Cree says they aren’t the only north American casino being used to promote a fake app and they’ve been working with the AGLC to educate the public.  

The casino says it’s been difficult to get the fraudulent ads taken off of social media.

“It always leaves a bad taste in the person’s mouth who ends up using that, and we don’t want our name to be out there in these frauds and fakes ads,” said Mahajan.

It’s an example of online scams becoming more complex.

“This issue is a prevailing issue throughout the world,” said cpl. Troy Savinkoff, Alberta RCMP.

While the Alberta RCMP could not speak specifically about the fake ads targeting the River Cree, they said generally AI is also making police work more difficult.

Alberta RCMP also added that this case is just the latest attempts by scammers to get your credit card and personal information.

“I’m sure the same fraudsters have multiple casinos they’re targeting with the exact same thing,” said Savinkoff.

For Nitti, she hopes this is the only time her image is altered in such a way.

“AI is crazy, I know that, but I never realized I would be part of something like this,” said Nitti.

Playalberta is the only legal gambling site in the province. The River Cree is asking anyone who sees these ads to be mindful of offers they see, and report them.