Police at Beijing Capital International Airport have recently dealt with multiple cases involving elderly travelers who were misled by fake content on short-video platforms. Several senior citizens secretly boarded flights to Beijing without informing their families, all hoping to attend a non-existent "appointment".
On September 6th, 2026, Officer Li Kun was patrolling the arrival level of the terminal when he spotted a 70-year-old traveler from Hong Kong looking anxious and confused. After communicating with him, the police learned that the elderly man had been watching short videos and mistakenly believed an AI face-swapped celebrity promotional video was a personal meeting invitation. He flew to Beijing alone without telling his family, only to realize upon arrival that there was no designated meeting place at all, leaving him lost and helpless.
Similarly, on September 7th and September 15th, the same police station handled two more related cases. One elderly person came to the police reporting window hoping officers could drive them to the location where the "exclusive welfare for seniors" mentioned in a video would be distributed. Another senior citizen, swayed by a blogger's false claims about a "capital city TV program seeking actors", flew to Beijing full of hope, only to find themselves stuck with an illusory promise and no way forward.
Patient Dismantling of Scams with Family Support
When interacting with these elderly individuals, the police did not simply dismiss their beliefs. Instead, they engaged in casual conversation to ease their anxiety, patiently listening to the stories about the short videos that had captured their hearts, gradually building trust and rapport. Recognizing the deceptive nature of AI face-swapping and fabricated program invitations, officers used plain, easy-to-understand language to point out flaws in the videos, explaining that today's AI technology can easily replicate a person's appearance and voice. They helped each senior distinguish between online hype and genuine events, slowly clearing up their misconceptions.
Some of the elderly were initially skeptical and found it hard to accept that the videos they had watched for so long were actually scams. The police quickly activated their "family-linked counseling model", calling relatives on the spot so distant family members could voice their concerns. With combined persuasion from both officers and family, the seniors finally came to realize they had fallen into an online trap. With consent from the individuals and their families, police assisted in rescheduling flights and safely escorted each senior onto their journey home.
Three Key Warnings Against AI Face-Swap Fraud
Criminals are targeting the emotional needs of elderly people, using AI face-swapping and voice synthesis to create deceptive short videos that promise celebrity meetups or easy wealth, weaving seductive lies that could easily lead seniors into physical danger or financial losses. The airport police would like to remind all travelers that as AI technology becomes increasingly accessible, fake videos impersonating celebrities and influencers are appearing everywhere online. Younger family members should spend more time with their elders and offer reminders to stay cautious.
First, if a video claims to offer an invitation but provides no legitimate official registration channel, treat it with extreme suspicion — it is most likely a trap. Second, never rush into traveling across provinces alone on impulse, do not trust sweet talk in short videos, and always consult with your children or family when encountering uncertain information. Third, if you have already been deceived and find yourself in a difficult situation, seek help from police officers on site immediately or call 110; if you discover suspicious fraudulent short videos, report them to platform customer service. Together, we can protect the property and personal safety of our senior citizens.