Changpeng Zhao, former CEO of Binance, has raised concerns about a new wave of scams using AI deepfakes in the crypto space.
Crypto Influencer Hacked After Zoom Call
CZ's warning came after Japanese crypto influencer Mai Fujimoto revealed that her main X account was hacked. The breach occurred after she joined a Zoom call, believing she was speaking with a trusted friend.
Unbeknownst to her, her contact's Telegram account had already been compromised. During the call, a deepfaked version of the acquaintance prompted her to click a link to address an audio issue, and that’s when the attack took place.
> 'She shared a link for audio settings adjustment, and that's when the attack occurred,' - Fujimoto wrote.
Growing Threat of AI-Powered Scams
Fujimoto’s case is part of a troubling trend. Recently, reports surfaced of BlueNoroff, a North Korean-linked cybercrime group, targeting a cryptocurrency foundation employee using a similar tactic. Over weeks of Zoom calls, the victim saw AI-generated deepfakes of company executives. A prompted download for a 'microphone fix' installed a malicious extension that unleashed a keylogger, screen recorder, and crypto-stealing malware.
CZ Urges Community to Stay Vigilant
CZ's message is simple but serious: don’t trust software links from unofficial sources, and question the authenticity of video calls. As deepfake technology advances, online scams are becoming increasingly difficult to detect. For anyone in the crypto space, staying cautious is no longer optional. With AI making it easier for hackers to impersonate trusted contacts, protecting your assets now starts with verifying every link, call, and conversation.
Changpeng Zhao calls for increased caution in the crypto space, emphasizing that deepfake technologies could threaten user safety and assets.
