The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has flagged a misleading Facebook video promoting a fake online gaming platform, PH888.COM, which falsely claims to be licensed by the agency.
The ad employs deepfake technology to impersonate ABS-CBN newscaster Karen Davila and Pragmatic Play‘s Irina Cornides, raising serious concerns about the growing use of AI-generated disinformation.
The video begins with what appears to be a legitimate news report featuring well known Philippine newscaster Karen Davila announcing the launch of PH888.COM, purportedly in partnership with a global software company called “Problematic Play.” The ad promotes the platform as a safe and guaranteed way to win jackpot prizes within a week. However, an analysis using AI detection tools confirmed the video is a deepfake.
The advertisement incorrectly features the logo of Pragmatic Play, a well-known iGaming provider, misleading viewers into associating the platform with a reputable company. A clip in the ad shows Irina Cornides, Pragmatic Play’s COO, speaking in an interview originally conducted at an iGaming event in 2023. Her English responses have been edited into a fabricated narrative, with Tagalog dialogue implied in the video.
A search on Pragmatic Play’s website confirms no affiliation with PH888.COM, and the platform is not listed among its recognized games.
PAGCOR has confirmed that PH888.COM is not included in its list of licensed electronic and offshore gaming platforms as of December 18th, 2024. The agency also emphasized that it has not launched any online gaming platforms under the name PH888.COM.
The Facebook ad for PH888.COM was posted by a page with over 1,100 followers and has amassed significant engagement, including at least 24,300 likes, 3,200 comments, and 352 shares. Its reach underscores the potential for disinformation to spread rapidly via social media, deceiving unsuspecting players and damaging the credibility of legitimate gaming providers.
For players, this latest AI scam serves as a stark reminder to verify gaming platforms through official channels, such as PAGCOR’s list of licensed providers. For regulators, it underscores the importance of proactive measures to counter illegal platforms and protect consumers from sophisticated scams.
