Apple iPhone Launch Targeted by Crypto Scammers with Fake Tim Cook Livestreams

Deepfake Scammers Impersonate Tim Cook During Apple Launch, Promoting Crypto Frauds on YouTube

September 10, 2024 at 11:19 AM GST

Updated: September 10, 2024 at 10:25 AM

2-minute read

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On September 9, scammers employed deepfake technology to impersonate Apple CEO Tim Cook during the company's iPhone launch event. These fraudulent livestreams appeared on YouTube and promoted cryptocurrency scams.

The fake streams promised to double the crypto deposits of viewers, coinciding with Apple's official Glowtime event. YouTube has since removed the fraudulent videos and accounts, advising users to report such scams through its official reporting tool.

The scammers utilized advanced AI to mimic Cook's appearance and voice, enticing viewers to send cryptocurrency to fraudulent addresses. One particular livestream, labeled as "Apple US," even displayed a legitimate verification tick, making it difficult for viewers to distinguish it from the actual event.

Scam Streams Garner Views with Bot Support

Some of the fake livestreams managed to accumulate hundreds of thousands of views. However, many of these views were likely generated by bots to create an illusion of legitimacy.

The fraudulent videos were strategically timed to coincide with Apple's Glowtime event, which was streamed live on YouTube. This further misled viewers into believing that the fake Tim Cook was part of the official event.

YouTube's Response to the Scam

YouTube responded promptly to the scam, urging users to report the fraudulent videos. In a statement, YouTube's support team addressed the issue and encouraged users to use the platform's official reporting tool. To date, all known scam videos have been removed, and associated accounts have been deactivated.

Concerns Over AI-Generated Scams

The rise of deepfake technology has led to an increase in sophisticated online scams. These scams target high-profile individuals and major events, exploiting the trust users place in official content. This incident highlights a concerning trend of AI-driven frauds, with previous targets including Elon Musk and other notable figures.

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