Cyber officials warn Israelis to reject suspicious videos exploiting trusted leaders for dangerous online fraud schemes.
Israel’s National Cyber Authority issued an urgent warning on Sunday after a new phishing scam began spreading across social media using deepfake technology to impersonate Chief Rabbi David Yosef.
The fraudulent campaign features manipulated videos that falsely appear to show Rabbi Yosef endorsing a medical product. Officials made clear that the chief rabbi has no connection to the videos, the product, or the websites promoted through the scam.
According to cyber authorities, the fake clips direct users to deceptive websites designed to look legitimate. These pages are intended to steal personal information, credit card details and payment data from unsuspecting victims.
Officials described the operation as a sophisticated fraud attempt that abuses the public trust placed in a senior religious figure. By using the chief rabbi’s image, the scammers are attempting to create false credibility and pressure viewers into unsafe online purchases.
The National Cyber Authority urged citizens to treat videos involving public figures with caution, especially when they promote medical products, financial offers or urgent online deals. The public was advised not to click on links appearing in videos, comments or messages, and not to enter personal or payment information on unfamiliar websites.
Consumers were also told to verify that any medical product is sold only through an official and recognized platform. Anyone encountering similar fake videos should report them to the relevant social media platform and contact the Authority’s 119 hotline.
