10 Arrested for AI Deepfake Drug Scam Involving Prominent Islamic Speaker

Ten individuals were arrested for creating deepfake advertisements using AI technology to impersonate Dr. Mizanur Rahman Azhari, a prominent Islamic speaker, to promote illegal drugs. The arrests occurred in Chattogram and Dhaka on April 23 and 24, 2026, following a complaint filed on February 25, 2026. Law enforcement recovered 11 laptops, 47 smartphones, two pen drives, 21 SIM cards, and a significant quantity of illegal sexual stimulant drugs. The deepfake videos misled the public by falsely portraying Dr. Azhari endorsing various products, damaging his reputation and financially benefiting the perpetrators. Legal proceedings against the suspects are currently underway. This incident highlights the potential misuse of AI technology in cybercrime.

Key Points: • Ten suspects were arrested for using deepfake technology to sell illegal drugs. • The deepfake ads impersonated a well-known Islamic speaker, causing reputational damage. • Law enforcement recovered multiple devices and illegal drugs during the arrests.