Crypto scammers hijacked Channel 7 Information Australia’s YouTube account to run a stay stream of an Elon Musk deepfake on loop. The AI-generated model of the enterprise tycoon was seen luring customers to scan a QR code and spend money on a money-doubling scheme by way of cryptocurrency.
The information and media firm is investigating claims at the same time as traces of account takeover persist on the time this text was revealed.
Crypto Scammers Shift to Deepfake Deployment
Crypto scammers hijacking social media accounts of well-liked manufacturers and celebrities on platforms like YouTube and X just isn’t a novel factor. However what transpired on Thursday may very properly be a snippet of issues to return as we transfer in the direction of the Age of AI.
Crypto scammers first took over the YouTube account of Channel 7 Information and modified it in a approach that it masqueraded the official Tesla channel.
After making aesthetic adjustments to the YouTube account, the crypto scammers changed the movies within the channel with a deepfake stay stream of Tesla chief Elon Musk. The AI-generated Musk was seen encouraging viewers to scan a QR code and spend money on cryptocurrency.
As per native media, the Musk deepfake mentioned, “All you’ll want to do is scan the QR code on the display screen, go to the web site and watch your cryptocurrency double. Right now’s occasion is an opportunity for all crypto lovers and customers to double their belongings.”
“This is a chance that can’t be missed.” – Elon Musk Deepfake
The deepfake video was made in a approach that Musk’s AI model even interacted with the viewers, the place he continued to say that twice as a lot would return to buyers’ wallets.
The Channel 7 Information has a number of region- and programming-specific YouTube channels, and most of them gave the impression to be hijacked at current, with all of them working the identical deepfake stay stream on loop.
The web page is now not accessible through direct hyperlinks from the corporate web site, however as pointed by a Reddit person, for those who go to the YouTube channel through the platform’s search, it nonetheless shows the adjustments made by crypto scammers, which is a Tesla emblem as seen within the photographs above.
Specialists, Leaders Press for Deep Pretend Rules
Owing to the menace of deepfakes, almost 1,500 AI and tech consultants in February urged world regulation of deepfakes to curb dangers like fraud and political disinformation. An open letter recommends that lawmakers criminalize deepfake youngster pornography, penalize creators and facilitators of dangerous deepfakes, and maintain software program builders accountable.
“The entire deepfake provide chain ought to be held accountable, simply as they’re for malware and youngster pornography.” – The Open Letter
Authorized consultants and technologists have additionally beforehand urged the U.S. Congress to control using deepfake applied sciences and supply new protections notably for ladies and minority communities towards using digitally manipulated media. Specialists warned that the misleading content material is already affecting nationwide safety, private privateness and public belief.