Summary
Scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to make fake online businesses that trick people into buying cheap goods. These businesses use AI-generated images to make themselves look like family-run shops in the UK, but they actually ship items from Asia. Social media platforms and review sites have been involved in highlighting and dealing with these scams.
Key Facts
- Scammers use AI-generated images and false stories to pretend to be small UK businesses.
- Websites like "C'est La Vie" and "Mabel & Daisy" claim to be UK-based but ship from China and Hong Kong.
- Over 500 negative reviews on Trustpilot report high prices for poor-quality goods.
- Shoppers often find these scams through ads on Facebook.
- A company, "C'est La Vie", claimed to have a 29-year history with a tragic backstory to attract buyers.
- The Advertising Standards Agency has banned similar misleading ads.
- Experts in AI have noticed that the images used by these websites look too perfect and staged.
- Scam businesses harm the reputation of legitimate local businesses.
