In a bizarre online scam, the live stream of artificial intelligence (AI) generated deepfake of Tesla CEO Elon Musk on YouTube fooled thousands of people.
Online scams that previously targeted gullible netizens have reached a new level, thanks to the introduction of deepfakes and AI.
Four years ago, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak also fell victim to the “Bitcoin scam” – when livestreams surfaced capitalizing on his clout and stature to try and steal from innocent people, according to reports.
The Bitcoin scam continues to infiltrate all online channels with high-profile facades, and now increasingly it involves ‘fake’ celebrities too.
Elon Musk’s deepfake used by scammers
Earlier this week, as per PC Mag, the Bitcoin scammers had also successfully hacked into rapper 50 Cent’s social media account and website to trap the unsuspecting with a fake cryptocurrency called ‘$GUNIT.’
Later, the rapper posted that the hackers made $3 million in 30 minutes.
This was not the end of the story. Over the weekend, as M India reported, 30,000 people tuned into a supposed “livestream” of Elon Musk giving a talk at an event about cryptocurrency.
Though the real number of people who saw the livestream isn’t known, the scammers were able to fool viewers using AI technology, with a voice convincing enough to pass off as the Tesla CEO’s.
During the YouTube Live video, the AI-generated deepfake of Musk suggested users deposit their cryptocurrencies, promising that they would receive “double the amount of the cryptocurrency you deposited.”
According to reports, the stream ran for five hours. However, the video and the account associated with it have been removed from YouTube.
Modus operandi of scammers
It is important to note that these scammers hijack verified YouTube channels, which have a substantial subscription base, according to a report by M India.
Amidst the sea of information in which we live, changing the names of channels can go unnoticed. So, though these scams manipulate these channels, little signs appear that something is off.
The fake livestream links directed viewers to hand over their crypto assets in exchange of promises to receive double or something extra in return.
It is no surprise that scammers set their sights on Elon Musk, according to PC Mag.
It remains to be seen what action YouTube or the Tesla CEO will take in this case. However, people need to stay cautious about such online scams, which are rapidly rising in number.
Watch out: the Bitcoin scams will continue
As they can originate from anywhere, online scams enter into a vague legal framework. How does one prosecute a network that very well may be scattered worldwide?
Due to their frequency however, if they stand to open up a new avenue in law remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the days of nonchalantly surfing the web are long gone. Online scammers exploit naivety, which is why, while surfing the internet, operate as if surfing for real: remain alert.
And to those still not convinced, Musk or any other celebrity isn’t asking for anyone’s cryptocurrency over YouTube.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Maria Mocerino Originally from LA, Maria Mocerino has been published in Business Insider, The Irish Examiner, The Rogue Mag, Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, and now Interesting Engineering.
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