‘She’s not even 50’: Even the ‘Sabrina’ actress can’t tell AI from real life anymore as she’s scammed by a dress ad

Even celebrities aren’t safe from the rampant spread of AI-generated advertising scams, as actress Melissa Joan Hart recently discovered after she ordered a dress that looked too good to be true. The star, famous for playing the titular role in the 1990s version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, took to her Instagram account to show off the hilarious difference between the stunning garment she thought she was buying and the sad reality that showed up on her doorstep.

Hart posted a series of images comparing the promised merchandise from an e-commerce site called Muyra and the actual delivery, and the contrast is pretty shocking. The dress in the advertised photo looked absolutely phenomenal, boasting incredible Christmas tree embroidery, attached fabric flowers, a low-cut neckline, and a perfectly fitted waist leading into a flared skirt, according to Daily Dot. What she actually received was a cheap, poorly constructed version that didn’t resemble the image at all.

She wasn’t happy about the experience, writing, “Online ordering sucks! Going rogue for my fancy ugly sweater look this year now.” Hart further noted that the dress “looks better in the photo than it does in person.” I can totally empathize with her; getting excited for a package only to receive something unusable is the worst feeling, but she really should be careful about believing AI ads.

Don’t trust AI ads—ever really

Here’s where we tech enthusiasts start shaking our heads, though: there were so many red flags signaling this was a complete fraud. First off, the price was a huge giveaway. The dress was listed for a ridiculously low price of just $34.99. That should immediately make you suspicious. The site was also pushing a massive, unbelievable sale, offering customers a fifth item at a stunning 99 percent off. When deals sound too good to be true, they usually are.

It gets worse, though. The e-commerce site, Muyra, is rated as “suspicious” by cybersecurity experts. They scored a dismal 14 out of 100 on their website risk scale, meaning you really shouldn’t click on anything associated with them.

The most obvious sign that this was a deep fake, however, was the photo itself. People who are adept at recognizing AI images instantly noticed the subtle visual cues. The image looked a bit too perfect, with details that defy real-world fabric construction, and it even carried a slight yellow filter that is common with digitally generated images.

Other commenters focused on her age and status, pointing out that she should be more savvy about online scams. One social media user posted, “She’s not even 50 and she’s getting schooled by AI.” Ouch. While I sympathize with anyone getting scammed, I have to agree with those calling this out; we all have to get better at spotting these subtle digital tells. This was clearly just an AI ad.

This whole situation is a great lesson for everyone. If the item looks too impossibly detailed, the price is absurdly low, and the site is offering sales that defy logic, you’re likely dealing with AI snake oil. You should always check the seller’s rating and trust your gut before you buy.