Scammers steal the shine from Apple regarding the iPhone 16 launch on September 9, 2024, by attempting to dupe potential buyers Deepfake videos of its CEO Tim Cook.
In fact, this reflects the growing threat of AI-powered fraud, as cybercriminals begin to use high-profile incidents to lure unsuspecting victims into cryptocurrency scams.
Deepfake trap
During the “Glowtime” event, where Apple was showcasing its new features for the iPhone, multiple live streams with deepfakes of Tim Cook were being shown on various platforms, including YouTube.
These seemingly legitimate sections Urges listeners to send cryptocurrencyDepositing currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum or Tether to a specific address requires paying double the amount in exchange.
The scammers manipulated old footage of Cook, editing it with artificial intelligence (AI) to create a believable performance that misled millions of viewers.
AI is getting better and better
355k people are viewing fake “Apple” accounts @youtube This is promoting a big crypto scam lol
The reason for such a large audience is the keynote address scheduled for today at 12pm CST@youtubecreators pic.twitter.com/O2ufpxdKnF
— BearPig 🧸🐷 (@BearPigCentral) September 9, 2024
One of these fraudulent streams has been viewed more than 355,000 times, and the scammers even went so far as to create a channel that mimicked Apple’s branding.
Adding a QR code to the video, so people knew where to scan and send their cash, further increased the illusion of legitimacy.
🚨Breaking🚨
Apple US YouTube channel hacked? It has a fake AI video of Timcook asking for bitcoins. 😱#AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/b2DOyhxBLL
– Abhishek Bhatnagar (@abhishek) September 9, 2024
Posing as Cook, the fraudsters assured viewers that their investments would yield immediate dividends for the investor, claiming, “When you complete your deposit, the system will automatically process it and send back double the amount of cryptocurrency you deposited.”
But once victims send their money, they I found myself with empty pockets There is no other support.
BTCUSD trading at $56,851 on the daily chart: TradingView.com
after
Reacting swiftly to the problem, YouTube removed the fake stream and deleted the associated accounts. But by the time the scam was satisfactorily resolved, much damage had already been done.
People flocked to several social media sites, including X, to share their experiences and warn others about the scam. Some also expressed outrage at how easily the fraudsters misled a respected figure like Tim Cook, highlighting the need for greater vigilance in the digital age.
A call for awareness
This is not an isolated incident. Now it has become easier for fraudsters. Deepfake technology Real-life imitations of popular personalities. A similar fraud was perpetrated a few months ago using deepfake footage of Elon Musk during the launch of SpaceX’s Starship rocket.
People should be cautious as crypto frauds are on the rise these days. The allure of making quick money can cloud judgement and increase the chances of fraud. Any offer should be checked for authenticity, especially those that seem too good to be true.
Featured image from The Star, chart from TradingView
