Australian influencer Lily Jay Hinson, known online as Lily Jay, is facing scrutiny after an ABC News Verify investigation revealed that videos posted by her foundation, which claim to show humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, Uganda, Nepal, and Sudan, contain AI-generated imagery. The Lily Jay Foundation, which is not a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), has since removed its online donation portal.
How did the investigation identify AI-generated content?
The ABC News Verify investigation found that clips featuring Ms. Hinson in various international aid settings were digital fabrications. In one instance, the analysis determined that the woman appearing in a video celebrating the opening of an orphanage was not Ms. Hinson, but a person generated by artificial intelligence. The background elements, including the children and the foundation’s banner, were also found to be AI-created. Further scrutiny of a press release regarding a humanitarian award for Ms. Hinson revealed that the accompanying images carried a ChatGPT SynthID watermark, confirming they were generated using AI tools.
The Lily Jay Foundation explicitly states on its website that it is a “private commercial structure” and not a registered charity. According to the ACNC, it is crucial for donors to verify an organization’s credentials on the ACNC Charity Register before providing financial support.
What is the status of the Lily Jay Foundation’s operations?
While the foundation has claimed to build mosques and distribute aid globally, official records contradict these assertions. In Uganda, where Ms. Hinson claimed to operate an orphanage, the Ugandan Registration Services Bureau confirmed to ABC News Verify that no orphanage is registered under the name “Lily Jay Foundation” or the name “Ada Nur.” The foundation’s website, which previously solicited donations in amounts of $96, $192, and $384, has undergone significant changes and currently lacks a donation page following the media report.
How does the influencer describe her transition?
Ms. Hinson, 31, has documented a significant shift in her public persona on Instagram, where she has nearly three million followers. Previously known for content featuring luxury items like Mercedes vehicles and Dior perfumes, her feed transitioned between 2024 and 2025 to reflect her conversion to Islam. Her content now includes daily Quran readings and videos of herself wearing a hijab. Before this pivot, Ms. Hinson worked in performance arts, including stints as a burlesque dancer in Paris and Germany, and attempted a music career with a single titled “Renovate.”
Pro Tip: Protecting your donations
Always perform due diligence before donating to online causes. Check if the organization is listed on a national charity register, look for independent audits, and be wary of content that relies heavily on emotional, unverified social media clips rather than documented humanitarian reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Lily Jay Foundation a registered charity?
No. According to the ACNC, there is no entity registered under that name on the Australian Charity Register. The foundation describes itself as a “private commercial structure.” - What evidence suggests the videos are fake?
ABC News Verify identified inconsistencies and digital watermarks, such as the ChatGPT SynthID, on images and videos. Analysis confirmed that the people and banners in the clips were fabrications. - What happens if I donated to the foundation?
The ACNC advises that while they do not regulate fundraising, the public should exercise caution.
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