Rafael Nadal warns fans of AI scam misusing his voice and image

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Rafael Nadal has issued a public warning after discovering AI-generated scam videos that use his likeness and voice to push fraudulent investment offers. The 22-time Grand Slam champion said he and his team had flagged multiple deepfake-style clips circulating on social platforms, falsely portraying him as endorsing financial schemes.

In a LinkedIn post published in both Spanish and English, Nadal called the scam “misleading advertising, completely unrelated to me.” He urged followers to remain vigilant and not be misled by manipulated media. “I have neither made nor endorsed such messages,” he stressed, adding that the videos attribute advice “that in no case come from me.”

Nadal also used the occasion to highlight broader concerns around artificial intelligence misuse. While acknowledging AI’s potential in education, medicine, sports, and communication, he warned that it can also be weaponized to deceive. “As a society, we face the challenge of distinguishing between what is real and what is manipulated, and of promoting ethical and responsible use of technology,” he wrote.

The scam highlights the growing risks of deepfake exploitation in sports marketing, where athletes’ global credibility makes them prime targets. It also adds to the wave of legal and regulatory debate around personality rights and AI ethics, as courts and governments grapple with how to protect individuals from digital impersonation.

For Nadal, the warning is both personal and symbolic: a reminder that even the most trusted public figures can be exploited, and that digital vigilance is now a shared responsibility.