Beloved Australian comedian Magda Szubanski has been forced to issue an urgent public warning after heartless online fraudsters used an AI-generated image of her to solicit donations for a fake cancer treatment fund.
AI-Generated Image Used in Cruel Hoax
The Kath & Kim star took to social media on Saturday night to expose the sophisticated scam. She shared a fabricated picture of a woman who closely resembled her lying in a hospital bed, making it unequivocally clear the image was a fake created using artificial intelligence. "Ok. Dear peeps. This lovely lady – whoever she is – is not me. I hope she's doing well," Magda wrote alongside the deceptive picture.
She explained that the AI-generated likeness was being circulated online to raise money supposedly for her own medical treatment. Szubanski stressed she had absolutely no involvement with any such appeal and pleaded with her supporters not to be tricked into parting with their cash.
"Please don't think it's me and DEFINITELY DO NOT DONATE MONEY TO ANY MEDICAL FUNDRAISER THAT PURPORTS TO BE ME!!" she cautioned. "If you want the real me you can always find me here. Otherwise – it's a scam."
Celebrity Friends Rally with Support and Disgust
The shocking hoax prompted an outpouring of support from Magda's friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry. Many expressed their disgust at the scammers' tactics in the comments section of her post.
MasterChef Australia star Julie Goodwin wrote, "Bloody lowlifes. Sending you so much love," while Gogglebox veteran Isabelle Silberry reacted with, "OMG that's crazy."
Szubanski's Public Health Battle
This cruel scam comes in the wake of Magda's own brave health announcement in May. The comedian revealed she is battling stage four Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
Appearing on camera with a shaved head after beginning treatment, she told fans, "Hello my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma."
She described it as "one of the nasty ones" but said she felt fortunate to be surrounded by a strong support network of friends, family, and an "incredible medical support team" in Melbourne, Australia.
Magda confirmed she has started a treatment regimen known as the Nordic protocol, which combats MCL by shrinking tumours using a combination of drugs administered in five distinct phases.
This is not the first time Szubanski has spoken openly about health issues. She has previously been the public face of weight loss brand Jenny Craig and recently fronted the ABC TV programme Magda's Big National Health Check. She has also discussed living with osteoarthritis, autoimmune arthritis, sleep apnoea, migraines, and has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness.
The use of AI to create such a convincing and emotionally manipulative scam marks a disturbing new trend in online fraud, exploiting both a well-loved public figure and the goodwill of her supporters during a genuinely difficult time.
