Cybercriminals recently exploited the excitement surrounding Apple’s iPhone 16 launch by using deepfake technology to impersonate CEO Tim Cook.
During Apple’s ‘Glowtime’ event on September 9, the scam involved fake live streams that misled viewers into participating in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.
Fake Tim Cook promotes crypto scam
During the event, YouTube was flooded with live streams featuring an AI-generated version of Tim Cook. These fake videos were strategically timed to coincide with the iPhone 16 launch to attract a large audience. In these streams, the deepfake Cook promoted a “double-your-money” cryptocurrency scheme. Viewers were urged to send Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and Dogecoin to a specified address, promising to receive double the amount in return. The fraudulent streams falsely claimed that deposits would be automatically processed and doubled.
Fraudulent streams gain traction
The scam was sophisticated, with some fake streams resembling official Apple accounts appearing on channels. These channels even displayed verification badges, making them appear legitimate. These streams’ high-quality production and timing helped them gain significant traction, deceiving viewers eager to participate in what they believed was an official promotion. The scammers’ ability to create convincing deepfakes and fake YouTube channels underscores the growing threat of AI-generated content in online fraud.
YouTube’s swift response
YouTube quickly responded to the incident by removing the fraudulent videos and associated accounts. The platform’s support team acknowledged the scam in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on September 9. They urged users to report suspicious content through official channels and took swift action to mitigate the impact of the scam. This incident highlights the ongoing challenge that tech companies face in combating deepfake technology and the increasing sophistication of online scams.
This is not the first time deepfake technology has been used in crypto scams. High-profile figures like Elon Musk and Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse have also been impersonated in similar schemes. The recent incident involving Apple coincided with the company’s launch of the iPhone 16 series, which includes the Pro and Max models, along with other new products such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, and the AI-powered Apple Intelligence.
The use of deepfake technology in online scams represents a growing threat to individuals and companies. As these scams become more sophisticated, platforms like YouTube must remain vigilant and take prompt action to protect users.