Claim:
An undercover FBI agent publicly exposed what he witnessed during a search inside one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ homes.
Assessment:
On June 2, 2024, the Celeb Lounge YouTube channel published a fake video with a headline stating that an unidentified undercover FBI agent spoke publicly about his search at one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ properties. The title of the video read: “Undercover FBI Agent Exposes What He Saw at Diddy’s House.”
The clip received more than 450,000 views in just two days and featured a misleading thumbnail image displaying a photo of Combs alongside photos of what appeared to be unidentified police officers and a child-sized doll.
This same video appeared for at least some users as the top Google search result simply for “FBI Diddy” (without quotes).
Google search results also displayed other similar videos promoting the same false claim. The clips did not present evidence of an undercover FBI agent or other official disclosing details about a search of one of Combs’ properties. If this actually happened, the story would be reported by several credible online publishers. The video’s title and thumbnail image were nothing more than fake clickbait.
The script, narration, and editing of the YouTube video appeared to be generated by one or more artificial intelligence (AI) tools. In fact, the video appeared to feature AI elements within AI. At the 2:13 mark of the video, a clip appears from the page of another unidentified online creator. This creator is shown sitting and reacting to an apparently AI-generated gossip video about Combs, Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber and other celebrities.
Diddy News Background
In March 2024, federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement officers searched Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami. According to The Associated Press, the agents’ search was part of an ongoing federal sex trafficking investigation conducted in New York. Authorities have not charged Combs in this matter. The New York Times further reported that Combs also faces lawsuits from four women who accuse him of rape and a man who accuses him of unwanted sexual contact. Combs previously denied what he called “disgusting allegations” in a December 2023 Instagram publish.
Then, on May 17th, CNN published exclusive footage from a hotel surveillance feed showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016. Combs apologized in an Instagram publish on May 19, saying in part, “My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
YouTube AI Gossip Problem
Fake YouTube gossip videos that appear to be generated by AI, like the one from the Celeb Lounge channel, appear to serve three main purposes. First, some of the video’s unknown creators benefit by making money thanks to YouTube’s advertising revenue. Second, viewers are subjected to a barrage of thousands of ill-informed and inane comments from users who believed the content of the video without asking, “Is this true?” Third, videos provide unsubstantiated rumors with a chance to gain traction and spread both online and through word of mouth.
We previously reported another false rumor about Diddy that originated in these same types of seemingly AI-generated, gossip-oriented YouTube videos. This rumor falsely claimed that CNN released footage showing Combs and Jay-Z engaged in illicit sexual activity in “underground tunnels.”
Sources:
Balsamo, Michael and Colleen Long. “Feds Search Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Properties as Part of Sex Trafficking Probe, AP Sources Say.” The Associated PressMarch 25, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/feds-search-diddy-combs-sex-trafficking-8883ed2c7308f3fcdb2cdf03fbe329d1.
Dalton, André. “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Asks Judge to Dismiss ‘False’ Allegation He and Others Raped a 17-Year-Old Girl.” The Associated PressMay 11, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-lawsuit-investigation-sex-trafficking-d2c44eedff90e2c697a5790bd0d21d8e.
@diddy. Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/diddy/.
González, Sandra, et al. “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs says he’s ‘really sorry’ for physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016.” CNNMay 17, 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/17/entertainment/sean-combs-cassie-ventura/index.html.
Jacobs, Julia and Ben Sisario. “Sean Combs’ Legal Troubles: What We Know.” The New York TimesApril 2, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-lawsuit-allegations.html.
Landrum Jr., Jonathan. “Authorities searched Diddy’s properties as part of a sex trafficking investigation. Here’s what you should know.” The Associated PressMarch 26, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/sean-combs-diddy-7df04189286f1570ce07ccd2c3d473d3.
Liles, Jordan. “CNN Leaked Footage of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ and Jay-Z’s ‘Underground Play Tunnels’ as Videos Claim?”. SnopesMay 31, 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/diddy-jay-z-cnn-video/.
“Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Accused of Years of Rape and Abuse by Singer Cassie in Lawsuit.” The Associated PressNovember 16, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-cassie-lawsuit-e3681f1abbe38c11d829c269c9a89260.
