TL;DR: Taranaki grandmother Jill Creasy, 72, lost $224,000 of retirement savings after seeing a deepfake video of PM Christopher Luxon on Facebook recommending crypto. The FMA has warned about fake news stories using Luxon, Winston Peters, Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford. The pattern: fake article → sign-up form → "broker" calls → small deposit (about $420) → bigger deposits → fees to withdraw → recovery scam.
Jill’s story
From Newstalk ZB / NZ Herald (November 2024):
- Jill saw an AI-generated video of Luxon apparently recommending Kiwis invest in crypto.
- She was persuaded to buy Bitcoin and lost $224,000.
- Months later, the "advisers" called back to win her trust again, asking for remote access to "return" nearly half a million dollars, and coaching her on what to tell TSB about a $10,000 payment.
- She secretly recorded them and gave the audio to the Herald, which passed it to authorities.
Meta said it’s using facial recognition against "celeb-bait scams." Jill called scams a "crime of shame." She spoke up anyway. Respect.
The FMA’s warning
From the FMA (August 2024):
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Paid ads link to fake news articles styled like NZ media |
| 2 | False quotes and endorsements from Luxon, Peters, Ardern, Gayford |
| 3 | Scary hooks like "pension payments will be cancelled" |
| 4 | Registration form → a "broker" calls |
| 5 | Small first deposit (about NZ$420), then bigger ones |
| 6 | Withdrawals blocked by "fees" or "taxes" |
| 7 | Later, recovery scams target the same victims |
How to spot it
- News-style content with politicians or deepfake videos promoting investments
- Headlines that scare you about super or pensions
- Links to unfamiliar trading platforms
- Pressure to deposit quickly; fees before withdrawals
- Anyone coaching you on what to tell your bank
That last one is the loudest alarm there is.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
From the FMA:
- Call your bank immediately; ask about reversing transactions.
- If you installed remote access software, get a professional to check your device.
- Report repeated scam calls to your telco, and scam texts to DIA (7726).
- Tell someone you trust.
- Victim Support: 0800 842 846.
Related: fake Kiwibank CEO ads, fake ANZ ads. A free exposure check shows if your contact details are in breach data used for follow-up calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christopher Luxon promoting a crypto investment?
No. Videos showing him recommending investments are deepfakes used by scammers.
How much did the Taranaki pensioner lose to the deepfake scam?
$224,000, according to the NZ Herald.
Which NZ public figures have been used in fake investment ads?
The FMA named Christopher Luxon, Winston Peters, Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford.
Where can scam victims get support in NZ?
Victim Support on 0800 842 846, plus your bank, Police and Netsafe.