Scammers Exploit AI to Deceive During iPhone 16 Launch

On September 9, 2024, the excitement surrounding the iPhone 16 release was overshadowed by scammers using deepfake technology to impersonate Apple CEO Tim Cook in an attempt to swindle potential buyers.

This incident highlights the growing threat of AI-powered scams, as cybercriminals leverage major events to trick innocent victims into falling for cryptocurrency scams.

Manipulating Perception

During Apple’s “Glowtime” event, intended to unveil new iPhone features, numerous live streams of deepfake Tim Cook appeared across platforms like YouTube.

These deceptive broadcasts encouraged viewers to invest their cryptocurrency, promising returns twice the amount sent, whether in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Tether.

The scammers utilized edited footage of Cook, enhanced with AI, to create a believable performance that misled vast audiences.

AI advancements are concerning.

355,000 users tuned into a fake “apple” account on @youtube promoting a large-scale crypto scam! 😂

This extreme viewership came after today’s keynote at 12 PM CST@YouTubeCreators pic.twitter.com/O2ufpxdKnF

— BearPig (@BearPigCentral) September 9, 2024

One particularly deceptive stream garnered over 355,000 views. The scammers even created a channel that closely resembled legitimate Apple branding.

In a further attempt to seem credible, they displayed a QR code in the videos for viewers to scan and send their funds.

Breaking

Has Apple’s US YouTube channel been compromised? There’s a fake AI video of Tim Cook soliciting Bitcoin. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/b2DOyhxBLL

— Abhishek Bhatnagar (@abhishek) September 9, 2024

In these fraudulent streams, the impersonators falsely promised viewers that their investment would be instantly doubled, stating, “After your deposit, the system will automatically process it to return double the cryptocurrency you sent.”

However, after sending their money, unsuspecting victims discovered their wallets empty and had no means to retrieve their lost funds.

Response and Reflections

YouTube acted quickly to eliminate the fraudulent streams and associated accounts, though harm had already been inflicted by that time.

Social media platforms lit up with users sharing their experiences and cautioning others about the scam. Many expressed outrage at the ease with which the fraudsters managed to deceive people using Tim Cook’s well-known identity, highlighting the critical need for increased vigilance in the digital world.

A Growing Concern

This issue isn’t unique. Scammers find it increasingly easy to use deepfake technology to convincingly portray public figures. Similar schemes featuring deepfake videos of Elon Musk emerged during the SpaceX Starship launch months earlier.

As cryptocurrency fraud becomes more prevalent, individuals need to be cautious. The temptation of quick returns can cloud judgment and lead to vulnerability against scams. It’s crucial to verify the legitimacy of any investment opportunities, especially those that appear too good to be true.

Image courtesy of The Star, chart sourced from TradingView.