Cyber Crime
Digital Deception: How Cyber Criminals Clone Celebrities to Promote Fake Investments
Deepfakes and fake news sites are being used by scammers to exploit celebrity images, misleading people into engaging with fraudulent investments and scams.
Once a haven for information and connection, the internet has become a breeding ground for sophisticated scams. Cybercriminals are weaponizing advanced technology and exploiting our trust in public figures to orchestrate elaborate schemes.
Deepfakes, hyper-realistic manipulated videos, cloning and fabricated news websites are the latest tools in their arsenal, targeting unsuspecting individuals with promises of quick wealth and leveraging the credibility of celebrities and industry leaders.
Deepfakes: When Celebrities Become Puppets of Fraud
Imagine your favourite actor endorsing a dubious investment opportunity or a renowned athlete promoting a seemingly lucrative betting app.
This unsettling scenario, once the stuff of science fiction, is now a chilling reality. Deepfakes, meticulously crafted videos that seamlessly superimpose the likeness of one person onto another, are being used to create deceptive content that exploits public trust.
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A Web of Lies
The sophistication of these scams has reached new heights with the creation of websites that mimic the look and feel of legitimate news outlets. These fake platforms feature concocted stories of success, falsely claiming how celebrities and business moguls have earned significant profits through specific investments, such as cryptocurrencies. The purpose? To trap unsuspecting individuals with promises of quick and easy returns.
Notably, images of Indian luminaries like Narayan Murthy, Shahrukh Khan, Mukesh Ambani, and Nandan Nilekani have been misappropriated to bolster the credibility of these claims. Scammers have gone to great lengths, fabricating websites that bear a striking resemblance to reputable news sources such as The Indian Express and the BBC. These counterfeit sites publish fabricated articles, suggesting that these prominent figures have invested millions in a cryptocurrency platform, resulting in substantial profits for those who follow suit.
Multiple fake news websites created by scammers and misusing famous personality images to promote fake investment scam.
The Clarion Call of Truth
The misuse of these figures’ identities has prompted public denials from the individuals themselves. Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani publicly addressed the issue, debunking the false claims circulating on social media about his involvement in a crypto project. Through a tweet, he labeled these assertions as “#fakenews,” emphasizing the need for vigilance among the public.
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The Mechanization of Misinformation
Adding to the concern is the revelation that scammers have automated the production of these deceptive narratives. Utilizing artificial intelligence, they generate multiple videos and disseminate them across platforms like YouTube, promoting dubious cryptocurrency investment websites. This mass production of deceit not only amplifies the reach of these scams but also poses significant challenges for individuals trying to discern the truth in a sea of misinformation.
Combating the Deception: Vigilance is Our Weapon
The rise of deepfakes and fake news necessitates a collective effort to combat this evolving threat. Here are some crucial steps individuals can take to safeguard themselves:
The Rise of Celebrity Deepfakes in Cyber Scams
Deepfake technology, which can create eerily lifelike videos of individuals saying or doing things they never actually did, has found a new application: the promotion of fraudulent schemes. Scammers are producing videos featuring well-known personalities, including actors, sports stars, and other public figures, and using these convincing fabrications to endorse betting apps, fake investment opportunities, and various scams.
Akshay Kumar hasn’t been spared either. A deepfake ad of him is “advising” users to download a betting app. pic.twitter.com/AvpU4HKtpe
— Soumyarendra Barik (@imsoumyarendra) November 24, 2023
This nefarious use of deepfakes came to light with the circulation of a video purporting to show Virat Kohli endorsing a betting app. The video, which boasts broadcast-quality graphics and features a cloned voice of the cricketer, falsely promises guaranteed profits, leading many to believe in its legitimacy. The scammers didn’t stop there; they enhanced the video’s authenticity by including a well-known Indian journalist, further misleading viewers into thinking the endorsement was aired live on television.
🚨New: Deepfakes of celebrities have arrived on the scene to hard sell you things. Even if that means selling you offshore betting apps.
An @IndianExpress analysis found Instagram and FB to be replete with such misleading ads. Here’s SRK’s deepfake (🧵) pic.twitter.com/a11StQSMXu
— Soumyarendra Barik (@imsoumyarendra) November 24, 2023
Identifying the Fake from the Real
Despite the sophisticated technology used to create these deepfakes, there are often subtle clues that reveal their deceit. In the fake advertisement featuring Kohli, for instance, his voice carries a slightly robotic tone, betraying the video’s artificial nature.
Awareness and skepticism are crucial tools for the public to discern the authenticity of such endorsements, especially when it involves high-profile individuals unlikely to promote betting platforms.
A Widespread Issue with Serious Implications
Virat Kohli is not the only victim of this new wave of digital fraud. Earlier in the year, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was similarly targeted by a deepfake scam promoting a lucrative game. Disturbed by the misuse of technology, Tendulkar took to social media to denounce the fake videos, urging the public to report such scams.
This worrying trend of digital impersonation extends beyond individual victims; it undermines public trust in digital content and highlights the urgent need for improved literacy in digital authenticity. As these scams proliferate, the call for collective action grows louder. It’s a reminder that in the digital realm, seeing is not always believing, and vigilance is the first line of defense against deception.
The Path Forward
The rise of deepfake scams highlights the importance of critical thinking and digital literacy. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our ability to critically assess and verify the authenticity of online content. Public awareness campaigns, enhanced security measures, and stricter regulations on digital content are essential steps in combating this modern menace. In the meantime, the public is urged to remain skeptical of too-good-to-be-true endorsements and to verify information through reliable sources.
The battle against deepfake scams is not just about protecting individual celebrities but safeguarding the integrity of digital content and the trust that society places in it. As we navigate this digital age, let us arm ourselves with knowledge and caution, for in the world of deepfakes, not everything is as it appears.
Combating the Deception: How to Stay Safe
In the face of this evolving threat, individuals must remain vigilant and adopt responsible online behaviour:
Maintain a critical eye: Approach online content with skepticism, scrutinizing videos and articles for inconsistencies and illogical claims.
Fact-check information: Don’t share information at face value. Cross-reference information with established and credible sources before accepting it as truthful.
Be wary of celebrity endorsements: It’s highly unlikely for celebrities to directly endorse investment opportunities or promote specific products. Exercise caution if you encounter such claims online.
Report suspicious content: If you encounter misleading videos, advertisements, or websites, flag them to the appropriate platforms and authorities.
By adopting these practices and staying informed, we can collectively combat the deceptive tactics employed by cybercriminals and protect ourselves from falling prey to these online scams. Remember, a healthy dose of skepticism and responsible online behavior are our strongest weapons in the fight against deepfakes and fake news.