Sep. 9 was a big day for Apple as millions awaited the 'Glowtime' event unveiling the new iPhone. Scammers seized this opportunity to run several live streams promoting typical cryptocurrency scams.
Crypto Scams and Use of Deepfakes
A video featuring a deepfake of Tim Cook generated by AI garnered over 350,000 views on YouTube before viewers realized it was a scam. Scammers used an old interview with Cook, altered to mislead people into sending cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to their wallet. During the live stream, an AI-generated voice mimicking Cook descried the fraudulent scheme as 'an ideal opportunity for beginners to familiarize themselves with the world of cryptocurrencies.'
User and YouTube Reactions
Another live stream was broadcast on a YouTube account named Apple US, impersonating the tech giant’s official channel. Other streams came from accounts unrelated to tech. All videos had a QR code redirecting users to a malicious site. Users reported the scam streams, and YouTube support acknowledged the incident. The videos have since been removed.
Deepfake Issue on YouTube
YouTube has been a frequent target for deepfake scams. For example, on April 8, scammers used a deepfake of Elon Musk to promote a similar scheme. In 2020, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and 17 other victims sued YouTube demanding the removal of scam videos. According to a Bitget report, deepfake scams surged 245% in 2024, resulting in losses of approximately $80 billion.
The rise in deepfake scams is alarming users and regulators, leading to discussions on measures to increase transparency and accountability.
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