Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated AI technology to impersonate celebrities and promote unlicensed gambling sites across Canada. The latest example involves a convincing deepfake of Alphonso Davies' father, fabricated to endorse an offshore casino operator with zero regulatory approval in Alberta.

How the Scam Works

An Instagram account operating as Prime Spin Zone posted the fake video. It shows Davies' father apparently being arrested by Edmonton police, followed by scenes of cash payouts. Then the deepfake cuts to a digital recreation of the footballer's father recommending the casino to viewers. A deepfake of Drake also appears in the promotion, adding false credibility to the whole scheme.

Clicking through redirects users to Oxibet, a Comoros-based operator with no license to operate in Alberta's regulated market. Davies' agent, Nedal Huosehs, has firmly denied any connection to gambling and indicated legal action against those responsible for the fake advertisement.

The Shift to Video Deepfakes

This case highlights a troubling evolution in online gambling fraud. Older scams relied on stolen photos or logos, but AI technology has now advanced to create convincing video and audio of people apparently endorsing services they'd never touch. That's a real problem for both players and regulators trying to protect them.

Alberta licensed its iGaming market on 13 July with the explicit goal of steering players toward regulated operators and away from offshore alternatives. The province now has 31 approved operators. None of them can use professional athletes in direct gambling promotion under existing advertising rules.

Regulators Sound the Alarm

Alberta's Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission has repeatedly warned consumers to verify operator licensing before depositing funds. They maintain a public list of approved providers, and players should check it before betting anywhere online.

Licensed operators must display the Alberta iGaming Corporation logo on all marketing materials and follow strict guidelines around athlete endorsements. Offshore operators face no such constraints. That's exactly why they're willing to push into deepfake territory.

For players, the message is straightforward: if something looks too good to be true online, it probably is. A quick check against Alberta's official approved list takes seconds and could save you from losing money to a scammer operating from another jurisdiction entirely.