Trending:

This ChatGPT Scam On YouTube Is Stealing People’s Faces And Voices: How To Be Safe

Despite ostensibly warning viewers about common online scams within the cryptocurrency community, these videos ultimately lead to financial losses for unsuspecting victims.

Moinak Pal

Updated Mar 28, 2024, 10:42 IST

Image: Unsplash

Recent findings suggest a concerning uptick in the prevalence of YouTube videos promoting the ChatGPT crypto scam. These videos, as reported by Gizmodo, present enticing opportunities for individuals to purportedly earn money through ChatGPT without needing genuine coding expertise. Despite ostensibly warning viewers about common online scams within the cryptocurrency community, these videos ultimately lead to financial losses for unsuspecting victims. Here's a detailed look at this emerging online scam and how to steer clear of it.

The ChatGPT crypto scam capitalizes on the widespread popularity of ChatGPT, a sophisticated language model, and the growing fascination with cryptocurrency. Scammers exploit ChatGPT's credibility, renowned for its ability to generate coherent and realistic text, to create a false sense of legitimacy for their illicit schemes.

The scam operates through various deceptive tactics, with YouTube serving as a primary platform for its dissemination. Scammers utilize misleading YouTube advertisements that promote "ChatGPT bots" or "crypto slippages" promising effortless profits. These ads often feature actors reading scripted content generated by AI, adding a layer of apparent authenticity to the fraudulent scheme.

Despite initial warnings about prevalent crypto scams, these videos ultimately entice viewers with the allure of "risk-free" methods to earn money purportedly facilitated by ChatGPT-powered code or bots. However, the reality behind these promises is far from what is advertised.

Upon closer inspection, the code or instructions provided in these videos may contain hidden malicious elements. While appearing innocuous at first glance, these elements can surreptitiously redirect users' crypto wallet addresses to wallets controlled by the scammers once connected. This redirection results in the unwitting transfer of funds from the victim's wallet to the scammer's, leading to financial losses and potential identity theft.

How Does the Scam Work?

The scammers target YouTube content creators. Here's the breakdown:

Misleading Ads: Deceptive video ads appear on YouTube, often promoting seemingly helpful tools like "crypto arbitrage bots" or "easy money-making schemes." These ads may feature unsuspecting actors unknowingly promoting the scam.
AI Voice and Face Theft: Using readily available software, scammers steal voices and facial features from existing YouTube videos.
Deepfake Creation: The stolen voices and faces are then used to create deepfake videos featuring the impersonated YouTubers. These fabricated videos could promote the scam or endorse fake products.
Targeting Viewers: The deepfake videos are uploaded to new YouTube channels and promoted towards viewers who might recognize the seemingly familiar face.

What's at Stake?

The consequences of falling for this scam can be severe:

Reputational Damage: Deepfakes can be used to make it seem like a trusted YouTuber is endorsing a scam. This can damage the YouTuber's reputation and erode viewer trust.
Financial Loss: The promoted scams could trick viewers into investing in fake ventures or losing money through fraudulent schemes.
Identity Theft: Stolen voices and faces could be used for further impersonation attempts, potentially leading to real-world identity theft.

How to Protect Yourself?

Here are some tips to stay safe from this scam:

Be Skeptical of Get-Rich-Quick Schemes: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is not. Don't click on suspicious links or engage with content promoting unrealistic financial gains.
Scrutinize YouTube Ads: Pay close attention to video ads. Look for inconsistencies or unprofessional production quality.
Verify Information: If you see a YouTuber promoting something unusual, check their main channel for any announcements or clarifications. Reach out to the YouTuber directly if something seems off.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a deepfake video, report it to YouTube immediately.

The Future of AI and Deepfakes

AI technology is powerful and continues to evolve. While deepfakes can be used for entertainment or creative purposes, their potential for misuse needs to be addressed. It's crucial for platforms like YouTube to implement stricter detection methods and for users to remain vigilant.

To avoid falling victim to the ChatGPT crypto scam and similar fraudulent schemes, it is crucial to exercise caution and scepticism when encountering offers of "free money" or unrealistic profit guarantees. Remember, if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it likely isn't. Legitimate investment opportunities typically require thorough research and entail some level of inherent risk.

Additionally, individuals should exercise vigilance when interacting with code or links provided in online advertisements or promotional materials. Never enter your crypto wallet address or connect your wallet to unfamiliar platforms or code snippets without first verifying their authenticity and legitimacy.

Furthermore, it is advisable to rely on information from reputable sources and official channels when seeking guidance or information about cryptocurrency. Reputable financial institutions and established crypto exchanges are reliable sources of information and can offer valuable insights into the cryptocurrency landscape.

By staying informed and practising caution, you can protect yourself from this and similar scams that exploit AI technology. Remember, trust but verify – don't let a deepfake fool you!

Latest News