MGM China Calls Ms. Pansy Video “Entirely Fraudulent”

The developer, owner, and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in Greater China, MGM China Holdings Limited, has recently announced it has fallen victim to a “fraudulent scheme involving the creation and dissemination” of a deepfake video created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

The video in question, said their statement, “unlawfully impersonated” Ms. Pansy Ho, who is the company’s chairperson and executive director, while “falsely” promoting a “fictitious investment plan, with unfounded promises of hundredfold returns.”

No Ties With the Company

MGM China, which achieved its best quarterly earnings yet due to the surge in tourism in Macau, growing gaming revenue, and luxury upgrades, deemed the AI content “entirely fraudulent” and reiterated that it has no connection with them or Ms. Ho.

“Neither the Company nor Ms. Pansy Ho has at any time been involved in, authorized, or endorsed the purported investment plan featured in the deepfake video. The video was neither created nor released by the Company or Ms. Pansy Ho.”

Ms. Ho is one of MGM China’s largest shareholders with a 15% stake in MGM Grand Paradise, which holds one of the six gaming concessions or subconcessions allowed to run casino games in Macau, where she serves as managing director. 

The operator of MGM Cotai and MGM Macau also firmly condemned the “acts of impersonation and misrepresentation in the strongest terms” while announcing it reserves all legal rights against the parties responsible for it, for the protection of their own rights and interests.

In order to stop the disinformation from further disseminating, MGM China “respectfully” requested that the parties responsible for the deep fake “cease disseminating the fraudulent video and its associated claims.”

Check Official Channels

The company has also cautioned the public and media representatives to remain vigilant and always verify any information on their official platforms, which are the only channels used to disseminate news and updates. 

They also warned that anyone who chooses to disseminate any type of false information is at risk of dealing with legal and financial consequences. The company statement also reiterated its adherence to the “principles of lawful and compliant operations.” 

In March, Hong Kong actor Louis Koo was the victim of a similar AI-powered deepfake fraud when a video that allegedly featured his voice and image was illegally used to promote a Malaysian online gambling site.