Portage, MI – The Portage Police Department is alerting residents to a sophisticated “deepfake” scam spreading through social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. The scam uses AI-generated celebrity videos to deceive victims into believing they’ve won a prize or contest.
According to the Portage Department of Public Safety, these fraudulent videos instruct viewers to download apps or pay “fees” or “taxes” to claim their supposed winnings. Payments are often requested in untraceable forms, including prepaid gift cards, Apple Pay, or cryptocurrency. Authorities report a noticeable rise in such scams throughout the Portage area, particularly those involving crypto transactions.
Police warn residents to look for several red flags: messages about contests you never entered, requests for cryptocurrency or gift card payments, and instructions to communicate through unfamiliar apps. Victims may also be asked to hand over cash or gold to a so-called “courier.”
Officials advise residents not to engage with suspicious messages or videos, avoid downloading related apps, and immediately block and report fraudulent accounts.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted is urged to contact the Portage Police Department at 269-329-4567.
Authorities emphasize community awareness as the strongest defense against evolving online scams.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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