Homelessness charity ALABARÉ has raised concerns about the impact on the sector of the rise of artificial intelligence generated video scams on social media, which claim to feature injured armed forces veterans selling handmade products.

It says that the scams, which have featured on apps such as TikTok and Instagram, undermine the genuine support services charities offer and public trust in their fundraising.

The so called ‘pity scams’ show fake videos of UK veterans with severe injuries struggling to sell their online artisan craft work, which they are asking people to buy to help support them.

But they are a trick to instead dupe people into buying “poorly made and inferior products” often from China, warns the charity.

The pity scam scandal has been highlighted this week by reporter Jonathan Homes on BBC Point West, which showed the footage to real former military personnel being supported by the homelessness charity.

“The rise of these fake videos, playing on the strength of feeling towards the veteran community, is worrying and a despicable use of AI technology,” said the charity’s media relations and external affairs manager Faye Tryhorn.

“The real concern for us, as an organisation supporting former military personnel, is that the trust between the public and veterans is irreparably damaged.”

She added: “There’s a risk that scams could make the public feel less inclined to donate towards charities like ours, as they don’t believe the money is going to the right place.

“Without those donations, we’d struggle to maintain levels of support, leaving veterans with fewer safe, secure places to stay and a lack of pastoral support to help regain confidence and independence.”

Simon, who is supported by the charity, was among those who has seen the videos.

“It looks so believable; the level of detail is frightening, it’s horrific,” he said.

“People do crazy things in this world, but this is on a sick level. If people see these videos and realise it’s a scam, they’ll think it isn’t all that it seems, and they might not donate again (to charities).

“That will have a massive knock-on effect; the system will start falling apart and then sadly, the guys that are really injured, and those who are struggling, won’t stand a chance. This could harm veterans in the long run.”

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