Gareth Wyn Jones, the beloved BBC presenter known as "the nation's favourite farmer", has become the latest victim of a sophisticated AI-driven blackmail attempt, with criminals demanding £2,000 to suppress a fabricated explicit video.
The Chilling Deepfake Demand
The 58-year-old star of The Family Farm was targeted in what authorities term a "sextortion" plot. The hill farmer from Llanfairfechan in north Wales reported receiving an AI-generated deepfake video that falsely depicted him in a compromising situation with an unknown woman. The blackmailers then issued a stark ultimatum: pay a staggering £2,000 or face the consequences of the fake footage being distributed across the internet and sent directly to his family.
"They told me, 'See, you have to pay me £2,000 or I will log into your Facebook account and post about your sex video with me and pictures," Gareth recounted. "I will also hack your phone number and call your wife and show her, and I will also post it on social media. So to avoid this, just pay me £2,000 and be free.'"
Defiance in the Face of Digital Extortion
Instead of capitulating to the criminals' demands, the father-of-three and social media influencer with two million followers chose a path of defiance. He immediately refused to pay any money and threatened the blackmailers with legal action. Gareth described the entire experience as "very scary" but emphasised the importance of standing firm against such intimidation.
"It was very scary. I suppose you could call them trolls," he said. "They demanded payment for a video with this woman but I can tell you for a fact there are no images or videos of me with this woman. The whole thing was obviously AI generated." He added that he felt he "might have caved in" had he been less strong-willed, highlighting the psychological pressure these scams exert.
A Warning to Others and the Scam's Origins
Gareth believes his high profile as an influencer made him a target. The scam reportedly began deceptively simply, with an online contact claiming to be selling goats for just £5. After initial contact, the profile picture changed to that of a woman, setting the stage for the blackmail attempt. The perpetrators subsequently sent what he described as a "little AI clip which didn't look realistic" as purported evidence.
Determined to prevent others from falling victim, the TV personality has publicly shared his ordeal. He has posted a warning on his Facebook page to his extensive following. "I've since been contacted by other people who have been targeted by similar scams, so it's not just me," Gareth revealed. "It's why I posted a warning... telling everyone there are dangerous people out there." His actions underscore the growing threat of AI-facilitated cybercrime and the critical need for public awareness.
