Originally published on: September 10, 2024
**Crypto Scam Infiltrates Apple iPhone 16 Unveiling Livestream**
On September 9, YouTube viewers were shocked to discover multiple livestreams featuring deepfake versions of Apple CEO Tim Cook promoting crypto scams during the tech giant’s iPhone 16 launch event. These fraudsters cleverly took advantage of the buzz surrounding Apple’s latest product reveal to lure unsuspecting victims into their deceptive scheme.
**Deceptive Double-Your-Money Scheme**
In one particularly alarming livestream shared on X, an artificial intelligence-generated Cook impersonator urged viewers to send Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, or Dogecoin to a specified “contribution address.” Promising to double the amount sent, the fake Cook claimed that Apple would return the cryptocurrency in duplicate once the deposit was made. However, this ploy, known as the “double-your-money” scam, ultimately allowed the fraudsters to pocket the funds while leaving victims empty-handed.
**AI Deepfake Technology Blurs Reality**
The fake livestreams captured the attention of over 355k viewers, showcasing the growing sophistication of AI technology in creating convincing deepfake content. The counterfeit Apple account on YouTube managed to attract a significant audience by capitalizing on the popularity of Apple’s official livestream event.
**Scam Discovery and Response**
As Apple’s authentic “Glowtime” event unfolded on YouTube to unveil the iPhone 16 models, the fake livestreams continued to circulate. Some channels even mimicked Apple’s branding to give an air of legitimacy to their fraudulent activities. While the scam videos initially gained substantial views, it is suspected that a portion of these views may have been generated artificially to lend credibility to the streams.
**Cracking Down on Deception**
Reacting swiftly to the situation, YouTube’s support team addressed the scam on September 9, encouraging users to report any suspicious videos through the official reporting tool. Consequently, the sham videos have been removed, and the associated accounts have been shut down to prevent further exploitation.
**Ongoing Battle Against Deepfake Scams**
The incident involving the deepfake of Tim Cook serves as a stark reminder of the increasing prevalence of scammers exploiting deepfake technology to deceive individuals and manipulate public events. Various high-profile figures and events have fallen victim to such fraudulent activities, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to combat the rising threat posed by AI-generated content.
**Conclusion**
As the digital landscape evolves, the threat of deepfake scams continues to loom large, necessitating vigilance and proactive measures from platforms and users alike to safeguard against deceptive practices. The recent exposure of the deepfake Tim Cook incident underscores the critical importance of staying informed and cautious in the face of evolving cybersecurity risks.
Source: TeamYouTube
