“Cash for Rares” art dealer Fabian Kahl must defend himself against criminals who have spread a fake death report.
They are spreading en masse on YouTube: false reports about the death of the dealer “Bares für Rares” Fabian Kahl, who announced his participation. This is perfectly healthy and anything but dead. The fake ads were mainly created with the help of artificial intelligence, as “bild.de” is known, and serve as a business model for criminals.
“The case of Fabian Kahl on the street,” or “Shock. The cause of Fabian Kahl’s death is unknown.”
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The “Cash for Rares” star addresses the public and clarifies: “As I have been contacted several times by concerned friends and fans, I want to make something clear. These rumors are false – I’m doing great.” And he is not the first celebrity to be affected by such fake death reports. Günther Jauch, Stefan Mross, Ben Zucker and other stars had to be declared dead also by criminals.
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Lawyer explains: This is why false death reports are spread
Lawyer Nadine Meßmer expresses her opinion to “bild.de”: “It’s about the money. Celebrity death announcements are of great interest to a large section of the population.” Each clip would generate revenue through advertising and be funded this way. Of course, a death report is often clicked on – regardless of whether it’s true or not.
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It would only take a few minutes to create the videos and the risk of getting a fine is also minimal. “It’s a lucrative business,” says Meßmer. But are such videos punishable? “Criminal liability is possible for libel and defamation.” However, because the criminals often operate from other countries, there is never a conviction. “If the false reports that have been reported are not removed, it is worth getting a lawyer involved.”
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Fake death report about Fabian Kahl YouTube/Screen
“Cash for Rares” dealer Fabian Kahl defends himself against criminals
But Fabian Kahl can breathe a little easier. After “bild.de” became active and reported the channels in question, eight of them have already been removed. “After checking the content reported by BILD, eight channels were closed due to fraudulent practices,” says the art dealer happily. A YouTube spokesperson said: “We have strict policies that prevent content that contains spam, scams and other deceptive practices.”
Title: The Truth Behind Fake News: An Interview with Legal Expert Nadine Meßmer
Setting: The brightly lit office of Time.news, with a large clock on the wall symbolizing the passage of time and the importance of accurate reporting.
Participants:
- Julia Meyer: Editor of Time.news
- Nadine Meßmer: Legal expert specializing in media law
Julia Meyer: Welcome, Nadine! Thank you for joining us today. I know our readers are eager to understand the bizarre phenomenon of fake death reports, especially with the recent case involving “Cash for Rares” art dealer, Fabian Kahl.
Nadine Meßmer: Absolutely, Julia. It’s a pleasure to be here and shed some light on this troubling issue.
Julia Meyer: Let’s dive right in. Fabian Kahl recently had to clarify that he is very much alive, despite rampant fake reports circulating about his death. Why do you think criminals resort to spreading such misleading information?
Nadine Meßmer: It’s quite simple, really. As I mentioned in previous statements to the press, it’s all about the money. Celebrity death reports attract massive eyeballs, which translates to increased revenue through advertisements on platforms like YouTube. The curiosity surrounding these announcements often leads to higher click rates, irrespective of the truth.
Julia Meyer: That’s a concerning thought. So just how easy is it for these criminals to create such fake reports?
Nadine Meßmer: Alarmingly easy. With advancements in artificial intelligence, generating such videos takes just a few minutes. It’s a low-cost, low-risk venture for these culprits, particularly when they often operate from overseas where jurisdiction can become complex. The minimal risk of penalties only incentivizes this kind of behavior.
Julia Meyer: You mentioned earlier that this isn’t just an isolated issue with Fabian Kahl. Other celebrities like Günther Jauch and Ben Zucker have also been targeted. Why do celebrities seem to be the primary victims of these fake announcements?
Nadine Meßmer: Celebrities, by nature, draw significant public interest. Their lives, including their health and well-being, are often sensationalized. When a celebrity’s name is linked to shocking news, such as death, it tends to go viral. This criminal model feeds off that appetite for news and gossip, regardless of the consequences.
Julia Meyer: Given these fake reports, what legal actions can victims like Kahl take to protect themselves?
Nadine Meßmer: There are several options. Firstly, if the false reports are not removed, pursuing legal action for libel and defamation is a viable route. A lawyer can send cease-and-desist letters to the platforms hosting these videos. However, the challenge lies in tracing these criminals, who often operate from other jurisdictions, which complicates enforcing legal outcomes.
Julia Meyer: It sounds like a challenging situation for those affected. What can platforms like YouTube do to combat this issue?
Nadine Meßmer: Platforms need to take a more active role in monitoring content. Implementing stricter policies regarding misinformation and quickly responding to reports of fake news is crucial. They could utilize AI to detect and mitigate this content before it reaches a larger audience.
Julia Meyer: Well, that’s certainly food for thought. Before we wrap up, do you have any advice for the public on navigating the sea of information and misinformation online?
Nadine Meßmer: Yes, critical thinking is key. It’s important for individuals to question the sources of sensational news and verify claims through credible outlets before sharing or reacting. Misinformation can spread like wildfire, and we must be diligent in ensuring we’re consuming and sharing truthful content.
Julia Meyer: Thank you so much for your insights today, Nadine. You’ve provided a clearer picture of the dangers lurking in the digital information landscape, especially as they relate to sensationalized celebrity news.
Nadine Meßmer: Thank you, Julia. It’s been an enlightening discussion. The fight against misinformation is ongoing, and conversations like these are vital to fostering a more informed public.
Julia Meyer: Absolutely. Until next time, let’s keep advocating for truth and transparency in our media.
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[End of interview]
Note: This interview is a fictional representation inspired by real events and individuals discussed in recent news.