MINISTER of Finance Neal Rijkenberg has become the latest victim of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos, with fraudsters using his image and voice to create fake clips promoting investment schemes that promise unrealistic financial returns.
Rijkenberg has warned the public to ignore the clips circulating online that appear to show him endorsing specific companies and encouraging citizens to invest in platforms promising unusually high returns.
Speaking on the latest edition of Finance in Focus, Rijkenberg said fraudsters had taken genuine government video footage and used AI technology to create fake content that made it appear as though he was giving investment advice.
He said the videos were completely fabricated and urged Emaswati not to put their money into any investment opportunity promoted through such clips.
The minister stressed that he would never advise citizens to invest in specific companies, saying such conduct would be inappropriate for someone holding his office.
He explained that as minister of finance, his responsibility was to oversee the country’s entire financial sector and not single out individual financial institutions or investment products.
Rijkenberg said any video showing him naming companies and instructing people to invest should immediately be treated as fraudulent.
He said criminals behind the scams were exploiting public trust.
According to Rijkenberg, the quality of AI-generated content had improved significantly, making it increasingly difficult for members of the public to identify fake videos.
He said earlier manipulated clips were easier to detect because they featured an obvious foreign accent, but newer versions had become more convincing, with his voice and manner of speaking closely replicated.
The minister warned that AI technology would continue advancing, requiring citizens to remain vigilant when consuming information online.
He advised Emaswati to exercise caution when considering investment opportunities, reminding them that high returns generally come with high levels of risk.
Rijkenberg said legitimate low-risk investments, such as bank deposits and government bonds, typically offered more modest returns but provided greater security.
He cautioned that while opportunities with higher returns did exist, they usually carried greater risks and required careful consideration before committing funds.
He urged citizens to verify investment information through official channels and avoid making financial decisions based solely on social media posts, especially those featuring public figures promoting specific products.
Meanwhile, the minister reiterated that government had used part of the latest Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenue to settle outstanding payments owed to suppliers, while also reserving funds for the final tranche of the 2025 civil servants’ salary review, which will be paid this month.
He said the inflow of SACU receipts had brought temporary relief to government’s cashflow constraints, allowing Treasury to clear some outstanding obligations while preparing for the final salary adjustment owed to public servants.
Rijkenberg said the funds earmarked for the final salary review payment had already been set aside and would be released on the scheduled payday.
Despite the improved cash position, he said government was still working to raise additional capital to close funding gaps arising from the current financial year’s budget and the previous supplementary budget.
