Summary
A mobile betting game called Aviator is going viral on social media promising Nigerians they can turn a mere 100 Naira bet into millions. This app, promoted as a life-changing opportunity, encourages people to play, win, and get rich, with hundreds of thousands of Nigerians supposedly already benefiting.
This fact-checking report uncovers the truth behind the alleged endorsement of the betting game by TVC news.
The story
The Aviator App has been gaining attention in Nigeria after promising users the chance to become millionaires with just a 100 Naira bet.
The video was shared on Facebook by one Waje – meet all your needs (another gaming platform). The video has had 911 number of likes, 55 comments and 10 shares.
The promotional video circulating on social media falsely claims to feature a broadcaster from TVC, discussing the app’s life-changing potential. However, TVC did not produce this video, instead, it was manipulated by a gambling company seeking to exploit Nigerians and to lend an air of credibility to its get-rich-quick claims.
The video uses a news report by a news presenter, Nifemi Oguntoye, and an AI technology to create a self endorsement, misleads viewers into believing the opportunity is legitimate.
Through the use of the advanced AI technology (like Deepfake, Deepface, SpeakPic etc.), the ad seamlessly alters the original broadcast, crafting a self-endorsement that makes it appear as though Oguntoye and TVC News are vouching for the betting game’s legitimacy. This doctored footage misleads viewers by presenting a familiar face and a trusted source as champions of the app, blurring the line between fact and fabrication.
This deceptive content has spread rapidly across Facebook, preying on the financial vulnerabilities of Nigerians amidst an economic downturn. With flashy promises of instant wealth circulating in targeted ads and viral posts, the Aviator App has found fertile ground among users desperate for a lifeline in a struggling economy. The manipulated TVC News footage creates a potent illusion of trustworthiness that has lured countless individuals to download the app and wager their money.
Verification
To verify the claims, the video was analyzed frame by frame and discrepancies were immediately apparent: the audio in the Aviator clip included phrasing and endorsements absent from the genuine report. Also, there exists unnatural lip-sync patterns and slight distortions around Oguntoye’s face, further indicating digital alteration.
Cross-referencing the ad’s claims with TVC News’ official statements revealed no record of any endorsement, and the broadcaster confirmed the footage was used without permission.
In June 2023, TVC issued a disclaimer denying any involvement in any casino heist and clarified that they do not endorse such activities. TVC labeled the reports as false and urged the public to disregard any related news.
Investigations reveal that scammers exploit gaps in Facebook’s ad review system by creating fake business pages, using unrelated websites, stolen images, and fabricated testimonials to appear legitimate. These fraudulent ads prey on unsuspecting users, often resulting in victims losing money or sensitive information.
Additionally, user complaints regarding losing money further confirmed the authenticity of the promotional video.
It was discovered that the Aviator took advantage of TVC’s respected reputation as a trusted news source. The ad falsely claimed that users could become millionaires with just a hundred naira. However, the video was manipulated, with footage edited to create the illusion of TVC’s endorsement. This deceptive manipulation of a reputable news platform’s content misled viewers, spreading a false message and taking advantage of TVC’s credibility.
Additionally, victims have left comments on various videos about the betting company, expressing their frustration over not being able to get their money or winnings as seen here and here
Verdict
The information about the Aviator app and its promotion through manipulated TVC news footage is false and misleading, as it misuses TVC’s credibility to deceive viewers into believing a fraudulent investment opportunity.
With Nigeria grappling with inflation, unemployment, and economic instability, the false promise of easy riches amplified by manipulated media poses a significant risk to individuals already on the financial brink. Exposing this fraud is critical not only to protect potential victims from monetary loss but also to hold a mirror to the broader implications of unchecked misinformation. Left unchallenged, such schemes erode trust in legitimate media outlets like TVC News, while normalizing the use of AI-generated deepfakes to deceive the public.
To reduce occurrences of scam and deceptive content, it is important for viewers and users to remain vigilant, verify the legitimacy of advertisements, and report suspicious ads to regulatory bodies like the FCCPC.
This verification has been produced with support from BO Foundation For Inclusive Media (BOFIM) and WITNESS.