Fake AI-generated adverts showing Nigel Farage kicking, grabbing and lunging at Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey have repeatedly appeared on X in recent days — prompting the Reform UK leader to contact the platform's highest level.
Speaking to reporters in Grangemouth on Tuesday, Farage said Reform UK contacted X on Monday “to the highest level” and that he hoped it would act “incredibly quickly” to remove the ads. The fake adverts, set on a BBC Question Time-style backdrop, depict the two men fighting, with some imagery showing bruising on their faces. One deepfake even shows Farage holding a gun while grappling with Bailey.
“Farage says Reform UK contacted X over fake AI ads showing him fighting Bank governor Bailey.”
“You may have seen some bizarre AI videos on this platform today,” Farage wrote in a post on Monday evening. “Whilst Andrew Bailey and I have our disagreements, I would never take it that far!” He told broadcasters he did not know “whether to laugh or whether to be angry” about the ads, adding: “The trouble is it’s an AI fake but it looks real in every way.”
The Bank of England also urged X users to report the adverts. Governor Andrew Bailey said: “Unfortunately, fake adverts impersonating the Bank of England and other central banks are on the rise. These scams are designed to criminally exploit the public, especially the vulnerable, when they are online. I would urge everyone to stay vigilant and report these scams. That way authorities can better root out digital deception like this and permanently remove the fraudsters responsible for what is a truly online scourge.”
Many of the adverts viewed by the BBC were posted by accounts with blue ticks — a symbol indicating a subscription to X's Premium tier. Hovering over the links in some ads revealed they directed users to sites promoting AI cryptocurrency trading schemes or apps. The Bank of England says it and its staff do not endorse any products.
The rise of AI scams impersonating public figures has accelerated as the technology improves. Martin Lewis, the UK personal finance expert, has been a popular subject of such fraudulent posts and has warned of a “wild west” of online scams powered by AI. The UK’s Online Safety Act contains provisions requiring tech platforms to tackle fraudulent advertising, but those duties do not come into force until next year. X has been approached for comment.