Community News · Atlanta, GA
AI Deepfake Scams Target Atlanta Braves Fans; Georgia Losses Hit $420 Million
Scammers are using AI-generated images and videos of athletes to run fake social media pages impersonating the Atlanta Braves, with one fan reporting a $2,000 loss after being contacted by someone posing as third baseman Austin Riley. The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report shows Georgia residents reported $420 million in potential losses, a 40% year-over-year increase, while national complaints reached 859,532 with $16.6 billion in losses. Emory University AI expert David Schweidel said publicly available generative AI tools have made convincing deepfakes accessible to anyone with minimal source material. Experts advise fans to verify page creation dates, locations, and follower counts before engaging, and to be skeptical of any celebrity reaching out directly via social media.