Fake AI images of Jagmeet Singh fuel investment scam targeting Canadians online

Fake AI images of Jagmeet Singh, the former NDP leader, are circulating on X in ads designed to steal personal information and direct people to a fraudulent investment platform.

The scam uses deepfaked images depicting Singh being arrested, handling suspicious bags, and taking mugshots. These ads link to fabricated CBC News articles claiming Singh was arrested after promoting Groman Pro, an AI-powered investment platform. The fake articles also claim Singh appeared in news coverage's Power & Politics and was arrested outside the network's Ottawa studios.

Groman Pro promises monthly earnings of $1,200 to $2,800 with a minimum deposit of $350. Security firm Gridinsoft assessed it as a financial scam, identifying red flags including low third-party reputation, high-risk trading patterns, and a domain registered only 12 days old. The platform uses common scam tactics: guaranteed returns, urgent deposit windows, account managers pushing larger transfers, and blocked withdrawals. Reporting found four fake Singh reports in roughly 30 seconds of scrolling on X. Singh did not respond to a request for comment.

Vaseem Baig, an AI educator, told the outlet that AI makes scams "cheaper, faster, and more convincing." He warned that fake political stories "undermine public trust in journalism."

MP Melissa Lantsman is pushing for stronger platform accountability through the Protection Against Online Fraud Act, which would require platforms to prevent and remove fraudulent content. Security experts advise checking website URLs, verifying investment platforms independently, and reporting suspicious ads.