For Solène, a student in psychology, the story should have been that of a beautiful find. “My research hours had finally paid. I already imagined all the looks that I was going to be able to do with »she says to Tech & Co. However, the package received has nothing to do with the announcement. The “100% leather” jacket is actually proved to be a low -end imitation, the manufacturing of which leaves something to be desired. The photos – certainly superb – masked reality thanks to the AI: ideal model, changing decor, incoherent shadows.
As more and more platform users, Solène was scanned by sellers expert in AI. “Deepfakes are increasingly present in online announcementsexplains Guillaume Saës, researcher in applied mathematics. The objective of these sellers is to attract consumers to trap. In some cases, AI will be used to embellish a damaged, or poor quality product. In others, the product received does not correspond at all to the photo “.
Beyond the simple photo editing, artificial intelligence is now used as a relay for a model of hybrid fraud. Unscrupulous sellers use AI to enhance new and poor quality itemsoften bought on Chinese sites like Temu, Shein or Aliexpress, and make them pass for second -hand objects. Even the most experienced users are not immune. Sébastien, “Expert in second hand”, confides to Tech & Co:
It happened to me with a blazer (…) in the photos generated by AI, the faults were masked. The color was not even the right one!
Or, “Building on AI to deceive the consumer is illegal”recalls Guillaume Saës. This is akin to false advertising.
The platforms lagging against the extent of the phenomenon
Even if European legislation has evolved with AI Acts (which requires compulsory labeling of the images generated), the reactivity of platforms remains uneven. Vinted is clear on this practice: AI as a virtual valuation tool is not prohibited, As long as it does not falterly embellish reality. She adds that fraudulent announcements can cause deletion and account blocking.
Despite everything, many sellers manage to act with impunity. A pebble in the shoe which is explained by the time necessary for the confirming of the different platforms. Above all, the number of growing fraudulent announcements pushes platforms to play cat and mouse game.
While waiting to see more protection against these fraudulent announcements, users can identify certain clues. Too smooth photos, unusual hand postures or changing decorations are signs that the image has been retouched by AI. If the same seller has several “perfect” models, there is a good chance that it is part of these scammers. Finally, the absence of a label on the part must put the chip in your ear.
If in doubt, you can use your phone or computer to do a reverse search on Google. If it is a scam, you should find the same product on TEMU or ALIEXPRESS at a more affordable price.
Finally, Take time to visit the profile of each seller and read the reviews verified. If he has no history or no notice has been shared, it is probably a scammer. And if doubt still persists, do not hesitate to contact the Plafrome or to report the seller.
- Artificial intelligence has become the favorite weapon of certain sellers to deceive buyers on Vinted and others.
- A simple garment purchased at low prices on Asian sites can be sold as a vintage part, after IA image retouching.
- To thwart scams, careful analysis of ads and inverted image search are your best allies.
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