Deepfake Scam Exploits Romanian Presidential Candidates to Lure Victims into Fake ‘Neptun Deep’ Investment

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As Romania prepares for the May 18 presidential elections, scammers are exploiting the public’s interest in political figures by distributing deepfake videos on Facebook. These AI-generated clips feature presidential candidates George Simion and Nicușor Dan, falsely promoting a fake government investment opportunity called “Neptun Deep.”

The scam promises every Romanian RON 9,000 in monthly income—with just a RON 1,400 “activation” payment.

Deepfakes in Action: What the Videos Claim

The AI-manipulated videos show the candidates appearing to say that the government has launched a new economic support program based on the Neptun Deep offshore gas initiative.

Victims are told:

“This is Romania’s chance for financial independence. By investing just 1,400 lei, every citizen can receive monthly passive income of 9,000 lei.”

This is completely false. Neptun Deep is not a public investment program for individuals—and certainly not a source of guaranteed monthly income.

Video Status: One Removed, One Still Active

• The George Simion deepfake video has already been removed from Facebook.
• The Nicușor Dan version remains active, attracting hundreds of reactions in just a few hours, and its spread is accelerating.

Fake Websites & Fraudulent Articles Add a Layer of Deception

Once users click the link in the video, they are redirected to convincing fake websites that mimic official news and government pages.

One of these sites includes a forged Digi24 article (screenshot above) featuring former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu. The article falsely claims that prominent politicians—including former President Klaus Iohannis—secretly invest in this "platform" to earn large sums with little effort.

Another section features a fabricated user testimonial, claiming that a RON 950 investment turned into over RON 3,700 in just a few hours—an unrealistic and unsustainable return designed to lure desperate or curious users.

Not the First Time: Bitdefender Labs Warned About Similar Scams

This is not a new tactic. In fact, Bitdefender Labs reported on a wave of investment scams in 2024 that used:

• Fake celebrity endorsements
• AI audio deepfakes
• Cloned media brands
• Fabricated financial testimonials

In one case, scammers used the name of Hidroelectrica, one of Romania’s largest energy companies, to promote a fake investment platform. The scams were almost identical in tone and method to this new “Neptun Deep” version.

The scam combined deepfake news articles, doctored financial reviews, and testimonials from supposed investors claiming they turned small deposits into large profits in hours. Bitdefender's research noted that these types of scams flooded social media platforms, exploiting current events to gain credibility and engagement.

Full analysis from Bitdefender Labs here:
Audio Deepfakes, Celebrity-Endorsed Giveaway Scams, and Fraudulent Investment Opportunities Flood Social Media Platforms

Hallmarks of the Scam

• Deepfakes of political figures used to boost credibility.
• Election timing exploited to draw more attention.
• Fake news articles and websites impersonating legitimate media.
• Fake financial advisors calling victims after they submit their contact details.
• Advance-fee fraud: Users are tricked into sending money upfront in hopes of higher returns.

What You Should Do

If you encounter this scam:

1.      Do not click on links or provide personal info.

2.      Report the video or ad to Meta immediately.

3.      Warn your friends and family, especially elderly or financially vulnerable people.

4.      If you have submitted any data, contact your bank and consider freezing your account.

5.      Use tools like Bitdefender Scamio and Bidefender Link Checker to check suspicious links and messages – these tools are free to use and can help you quickly fend of scams.

This campaign blends deepfake disinformation, fake financial promises, and trusted political imagery into a dangerous scam—one that’s spreading fast across Romanian Facebook.

If you see a politician promising you thousands of lei per month for a few hundred lei “investment”—it’s not a gift, it’s a trap.

Special thanks to software engineer Andreea Olariu for her vigilance and for spotting this scam before it could claim more victims.

Stay ahead of the scam. Verify before you trust