AI used to promote non-existent evacuation flights from the Middle East

2 days ago

De Telegraaf published an interview with Tamara Harema, who claimed to organize evacuation flights from Dubai at €1,600 per seat.
Bellingcat found that the photo of Harema in the article showed signs of being AI-generated, and no evidence of the flights existed.
The article claimed Dutch citizens were organizing their own flights due to government inaction during regional tensions.
Flight-tracking data revealed no Airbus A321 flights from Muscat to the Netherlands on the mentioned dates.
De Telegraaf later removed Harema's photo, citing it likely did not meet journalistic guidelines.
The source who connected the reporter to Harema, Chizki Loonstein, had a questionable background, including a prior bankruptcy scandal.
Loonstein refused to provide further comment or verify Harema's identity when contacted by Bellingcat.

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