YouTube faced another wave of deepfake scams involving Elon Musk, as scammers targeted viewers interested in SpaceX’s Starship rocket launch. Cybersecurity researchers at Avast Threat Labs revealed that over 35 YouTube channels live-streamed an AI-generated fake voice of Musk, promising to double cryptocurrency deposits.
What is Deepfake?
Deepfake technology, powered by deep learning algorithms, allows for the creation of highly realistic fake videos and audio recordings. These deepfakes can convincingly depict people saying or doing things they never actually did, raising significant concerns about misinformation and deception. While deepfakes have applications in entertainment, such as inserting actors into scenes or creating humorous videos, they also present serious risks, including the potential to spread fake news, manipulate elections, and damage reputations.
The technology’s ability to generate convincing fake content has led to calls for increased regulation and awareness. Efforts to combat deepfakes include developing detection tools to identify manipulated media, promoting media literacy to help people recognize fake content, and establishing guidelines for the ethical use of deepfake technology.
Why is Musk the Target ?
Elon Musk is a frequent target of deepfake technology due to his high profile and public presence. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk is a prominent figure in the technology and space exploration industries, making him a recognizable and influential individual. Additionally, Musk is known for his active presence on social media, where he often shares updates and opinions on various topics, further increasing his visibility and making him a potential target for those seeking to create fake content.
Moreover, Musk’s statements and actions often garner significant attention from the media and the public, making him a potentially lucrative target for those seeking to spread misinformation or scams. Musk’s involvement and interest in cryptocurrencies, particularly Dogecoin, have also made him a target for crypto-related scams, as scammers may seek to capitalize on his association with the industry to deceive others. Overall, Musk’s prominence, visibility, and involvement in various industries and public discussions make him a prime target for those looking to create deepfake content for malicious purposes.
Coordinated Scam Efforts
The scammy streams coincided with SpaceX’s real fourth test launch of the Starship rocket, highlighting the scammers’ efforts to leverage the event for deception. It was observed that one YouTube channel posing as an official SpaceX account, attracting 170,000 viewers—likely bots—to create an illusion of legitimacy.
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Convincing Deception
The livestreams displayed wide-angle footage of Musk at a SpaceX event, with some blurring his face just enough to make the fake content challenging to spot. An AI voice imitated Musk’s speech patterns, including stutters and pauses, promising viewers a chance to double their cryptocurrency.
Fake Promises During SpaceX Launch
The AI voice instructed viewers to send Bitcoin or Ether to an address to receive double the amount back, claiming it was a genuine giveaway. This deception was enhanced by recordings of applause, creating an illusion of legitimacy.
It remains unclear how many viewers fell victim to the scams, but observations showed significant sums in various cryptocurrency wallets associated with the scams. Transactions continued to occur even after the livestreams were removed.
The scammers’ persistence was evident as they rebranded their YouTube channel to mimic the Cardano Foundation after the takedown. They continued pushing the same scam through a deepfake livestream of Cardano co-founder Charles Hoskinson.
Hackers trying to steal #crypto through fake @SpaceX @YouTube channel with QR code to https://t.co/JUujGAKg17 @elonmusk be aware of this scam on behalf of your name #deepfake pic.twitter.com/SNVnuoX7Zk
— ference (@ference) June 6, 2024
The Exploitation of Musk’s Influence
Elon Musk’s public support for cryptocurrencies, particularly Dogecoin, has made him a prime target for such scams. His involvement in high-profile projects like SpaceX further amplifies the scammers’ appeal and the believability of their deception.
YouTube and other platforms continue to face challenges in combating deepfake content. The case highlights the need for robust measures to detect and remove such deceptive content to protect users from financial losses and misinformation.
