Deepfakes on YouTube: Scam with Apple CEO and Cryptocurrencies

Deepfake with Apple CEO on YouTube – Cryptocurrency Scam

YouTube has recently become a platform for scams utilizing deepfakes of Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, to promote fake cryptocurrency transactions. These scams occurred simultaneously with Apple’s official live stream presenting the new generation of iPhones, which further heightened the emotions and interest of viewers.

Promises of Double Cryptocurrency Returns

In one of the fraudulent streams, an artificial intelligence impersonating Tim Cook encouraged viewers to send cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, or Dogecoin to a special „contribution address.” In return, promising to double the amount sent. Unfortunately, the scammers kept the money for themselves, and the promised returns turned out to be empty promises.

YouTube’s Response to Deepfakes

Although the scam videos garnered tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of views, a large portion of them likely originated from bots. YouTube’s support quickly responded to the situation, encouraging users to report such content through the official reporting tool. Deepfakes pose an increasing threat, and those publishing such content are becoming bolder, utilizing technology for malicious purposes.

Increasingly Common Threat

It’s not only tech company CEOs who fall victim to deepfake scams. In June, fake versions of Elon Musk appeared on the YouTube channel of Australian broadcaster Seven. Concerns about AI-generated content are rising, as noted by the World Economic Forum in the „Global Risks Report” from 2024.

Online safety and caution are becoming increasingly important to avoid falling into the traps of scammers utilizing ever more advanced technologies for conducting attacks.