On April 8, there was an influx of false SpaceX prize draws disguised as live streams about the solar eclipse on YouTube.
A research group named Mysk initially identified some fraudulent activities. They noticed that a YouTube account with a verification badge was broadcasting a solar eclipse live. The title of the stream, “Live: Solar Eclipse Spectacular 2024 by SpaceX,” allegedly featured a deepfake video of Elon Musk as its content.
In the video, a figure resembling Musk encouraged viewers to scan a QR code on their screens and transfer cryptocurrencies for twice the amount deposited. Upon scanning, users were led to a website where they could send Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other well-known cryptocurrencies directly to the fraudster’s wallet addresses.
Based on their study, a live stream was the top outcome when searching for “solar eclipse live online.”
At its peak, the livestream had over 95,000 viewers.
A live stream, discovered by user Jason Paladino and labeled “2024 Total Solar Eclipse: A SpaceX Perspective,” attracted over 164,000 live viewers. In the chat room of this livestream, fraudsters impersonated Elon Musk using a false YouTube account to peddle a cryptocurrency scam promising doubled returns.
Scammers advertised a newly-registered Russian site, encouraging victims to send cryptocurrencies on the very same day.
Discussions about giveaway scams in the cryptocurrency community have been prevalent for quite some time. In the past year, these deceitful practices led to a loss of approximately $165,000 worth of crypto from unsuspecting individuals. The perpetrators employed live streams on YouTube and used QR codes to direct users to their fraudulent sites.
These deceitful schemes aren’t only about pretending to be Elon Musk or SpaceX. Instead, many individuals, both within and outside the cryptocurrency world, have had their names sullied by these unscrupulous characters.
In the year 2020, Steve Wozniak, one of Apple’s co-founders, and 17 other individuals filed a lawsuit against YouTube. Their aim was to have the platform remove fraudulent schemes that were using their identities to advertise false Bitcoin giveaways.
Sadly, YouTube isn’t the only platform where such scams occur. In February 2024, analysts from CertiK identified scam artists who pretended to be Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and used a deepfake video to spread the word about a fraudulent wallet drainer website.
Currently, TikTok is another popular social media site where fraudsters thrive, as revealed in a report published in 2023. These scammers employed a consistent strategy by posing as respectable businesses, particularly Elon Musk and SpaceX given their association with cryptocurrencies.
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2024-04-09 15:50