Posted on 07/03/2024 3:29:59 AM PDT by Timber Rattler
A network of Russia-based websites masquerading as local American newspapers is pumping out fake stories as part of an AI-powered operation that is increasingly targeting the US election, a BBC investigation can reveal.
A former Florida police officer who relocated to Moscow is one of the key figures behind it.
It would have been a bombshell report - if it were true.
Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, allegedly bought a rare Bugatti Tourbillon sports car for 4.5m euros ($4.8m; £3.8m) while visiting Paris for D-Day commemorations in June. The source of the funds was supposedly American military aid money.
The story appeared on an obscure French website just days ago - and was swiftly debunked.
Experts pointed out strange anomalies on the invoice posted online. A whistleblower cited in the story appeared only in an oddly edited video that may have been artificially created. Bugatti issued a sharp denial, calling it "fake news", and its Paris dealership threatened legal action against the people behind the false story.
But before the truth could even get its shoes on, the lie had gone viral. Influencers had already picked up the false story and spread it widely.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
“While no hard evidence has emerged that these particular fake news websites are run by the Russian state, researchers say....”
Trust the experts.
The car wasn’t purchased and the Zelenskys couldn’t afford it anyway with an estimated wealth of about 20 million, and the aid is to support a nation at war, it isn’t something an individual pulls out of his bank account.
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