Israel’s National Cyber Authority issued an urgent warning Sunday after deepfake videos surfaced online falsely portraying Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi, Harav David Yosef, endorsing a medical product.

According to officials, the fraudulent campaign uses manipulated footage designed to make it appear as though Rav Yosef is promoting the product. Authorities stressed that the chief rabbi has no involvement whatsoever with either the videos or the advertised item.

The Cyber Authority said the videos direct users to fake websites that imitate legitimate online platforms in an apparent attempt to steal personal and financial information.

Officials described the scheme as a sophisticated phishing operation that seeks to exploit the chief rabbi’s public stature and credibility in order to deceive victims. The public was urged to exercise caution and avoid interacting with suspicious online content.

The agency advised users to carefully verify whether videos featuring prominent public figures originate from official and trustworthy sources before relying on them.

The Authority also warned people not to click on links attached to suspicious videos, comments, or messages, and cautioned against entering personal or credit card information on unfamiliar websites.

Consumers were further encouraged to confirm that any medical product is being sold through an official and recognized platform before making a purchase. In cases of doubt, officials recommended halting the transaction and consulting a trusted source.

The National Cyber Authority urged anyone who encounters similar fake videos to report them immediately both to the relevant social media platform and to the Authority’s 119 hotline in order to help stop the spread of the scam.