Sir Billy Connolly has warned followers that scammers are utilizing synthetic intelligence to impersonate him on-line.
The Scottish comic and actor – affectionately often known as The Massive Yin – mentioned his spouse Pamela Stephenson had additionally been focused.
In a message on his web site, the 82-year-old mentioned: “Dear friends, I have learned that, unfortunately, online scam artists are targeting my fans and supporters.
“They’re impersonating me, typically reaching out to followers soliciting direct messaging.
Picture:
Sir Billy throughout a Celtic and Dunfermline soccer recreation in 2019. Pic: PA
Sir Billy, who was recognized with Parkinson’s illness in 2013, mentioned his official Fb web page is his solely social media account – alongside his web site, billyconnolly.com.
He warned: “I shouldn’t have an Instagram, X, Snapchat, Telegram or another social media account.
“I never interact directly with fans or supporters, and would never suggest they direct message me, meet me, send me money or purchase goods directly.
“I don’t promote memberships, fan playing cards, conferences. I’ll by no means counsel assembly personally or ask for private info.
“If you are asked for any of the above, it is a scam. My likeness and the sound of my voice can be created by AI… so beware!”
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‘I have been changed into an AI announcer’
Criminals can use cloning know-how to copy an individual’s voice from just some seconds of audio, which will be simply captured from a video somebody has uploaded on-line or to social media.
Deepfake photos of celebrities are sometimes utilized in scams – and pretend adverts that includes public figures have been probably the most reported rip-off adverts reported to the Promoting Requirements Authority in 2024.
Sir Billy, who was knighted in 2017 for companies to leisure and charity, introduced his retirement from dwell performances in 2018.
In addition to his stand-up reveals, he has starred in a variety of movies – together with Mrs Brown alongside Judi Dench, The Final Samurai with Tom Cruise, and Gulliver’s Travels with Jack Black.
He has additionally voiced a variety of animated characters, together with King Fergus in Pixar’s Courageous.
Regardless of his medical situation, the comedian has continued to report programmes and make TV appearances.
His most up-to-date tasks embrace TV reveals akin to 2018’s Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland, Billy Connolly’s Nice American Path in 2019 and Billy Connolly Does… which started airing in 2022.
