Fake AI Photos Used to Lure Guests in B&Bs, Raising False Advertising Concerns

During summer vacation, many social media posts show dreamy B&B photos claiming to be 'newly opened' or 'available'. But these images appear to be AI-generated, with the same photo used for different B&Bs in various locations. When reporters asked about booking, staff consistently said they were fully booked and then suggested other stays, using fake images just to attract attention.

Tests by the National Anti-Fraud Center app revealed these photos show signs of AI creation. Zhao Jingwu, an associate professor at Beihang University, said this practice qualifies as false advertising, and if businesses push other stays after saying they're booked, it could be consumer fraud.

Ma Liang, a professor at Peking University, said the problem persists because it's hard to hold violators accountable. He stressed that platforms should use better technology to monitor content, and regulators need to create a stronger deterrent.