Has NatWest Group plc had a publicly reported AI incident?
Yes. As of Oct 21, 2026, the register holds 1 publicly reported AI incident at NatWest Group plc since January 2022. The most recent is "Deepfake image of NatWest CEO Paul Thwaite spread on X as scam bait" (Jul 3, 2026), status: confirmed by the institution, severity 1 of 5. Last swept Oct 21, 2026 (21 queries).
| Date | Institution | Incident | AI? | Role | Category | Severity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 3, 2026 | NatWest Group | Deepfake image of NatWest CEO Paul Thwaite spread on X as scam bait | ML (inferred) | AI used against the institution | Brand impersonation | 1 | Confirmed by the institution |
Jul 3, 2026 · AI used against the institution · severity 1/5
Deepfake image of NatWest CEO Paul Thwaite spread on X as scam bait
City AM reported on 3 July 2026 that multiple accounts on X shared a deepfake picture of NatWest Group chief executive Paul Thwaite alongside journalist Emily Maitlis, staged to look like a BBC radio interview, with captions such as "On air, Emily Maitlis raised the NatWest CEO's salary, causing a strong reaction." A NatWest spokesperson said the bank was working closely with social media platforms to remove the false images and called them "another reminder of criminal activity designed to defraud people – especially the vulnerable". The image followed deepfake videos of Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and Nigel Farage in June 2026. No customer losses linked to the image have been reported, and the record does not describe where the posts led.
Not incidents: precautions and statements with no reported harm.
Entries come from the register of AI incidents at banks: events since January 2022, each sourced to two independent publishers or one official or court document, with the institution's response recorded. A sweep searches news, regulator, court and security sources for the institution by name; its date, query count and result are logged on the register's method section.
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