Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation, has warned Nigerians about a fake, AI-generated video circulating online that promotes an investment scheme using her name.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Okonjo-Iweala said the video did not originate from her and urged the public to ignore it. “Just alerting Nigerians. Another fake AI-manipulated video.
The authorities are handling. Just wanted to alert you to be aware of this,” she said. “Anything emanating from these sources with my image is not from me. I just don’t want people to be duped.”
In the doctored video, a voice that sounds like the former Nigerian finance minister urges Nigerians to join what it calls an “official programme” aimed at helping citizens “grow and secure their wealth.”
The clip claims participants can earn as much as N2.66 million within a week after making a minimum investment of N380,000, promising daily automated returns and so-called “government-backed investments.”
It further states that the scheme is open to Nigerians aged 30 and above, with only 4,000 slots available, and alleges that more than 80 percent of the spaces have already been taken.
Additionally, promoters claimed the platform is managed by experts capable of analysing financial markets and executing profitable operations, while guaranteeing security of funds.
Okonjo-Iweala, however, distanced herself from the scheme, noting that she does not post on Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, but only on X.