By Key Points
- Elon Musk deepfakes promoting crypto scams on YouTube.
- 50 Cent’s accounts hacked, $3M stolen in memecoin scam.
- Scammers target crypto investors with fake promises.
- Over 30,000 viewers were misled by fraudulent live streams.
- Crypto Chaos: Elon Musk Deepfakes and 50 Cent’s Hacks
This weekend has seen an unsettling rise in crypto scams and hacks, leaving many investors on edge. A wave of deepfakes featuring Elon Musk has hit YouTube, duping viewers into participating in fraudulent crypto giveaways. Additionally, hackers managed to compromise 50 Cent’s accounts, making off with millions in a memecoin scam.
The Morning After: Elon Musk deepfakes are pushing crypto giveaways https://t.co/hUGnKUcSQ3
— Engadget (@engadget) June 24, 2024
Deepfakes: Elon Musk’s Fake Crypto Giveaways
Late Friday, multiple deepfake videos of Elon Musk began circulating on YouTube, promoting a crypto giveaway scam. These videos portrayed Musk in what appeared to be a livestream from a Tesla event, where an AI-generated voice mimicked him, urging viewers to visit a dubious website.
The scammers promised free crypto in return for deposits of Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Dogecoin. The realistic nature of the deepfake combined with the recognisable persona of Musk helped the fraud quickly gain traction — over 30K people were watching the livestream at one point. It even made it to YouTube’s top Live Now recommendations before being taken down.
50 Cent’s Hack: A Costly Weekend for Crypto
While the Musk deepfakes were deceiving viewers on YouTube, rapper 50 Cent faced his own digital nightmare. Hackers targeted his social media accounts and website promoting a fraudulent memecoin called GUNIT. Around $3 million was stolen within just half an hour according to an Instagram post by 50 Cent himself! This demonstrates ongoing weak points within cryptocurrency systems that need addressing urgently given its rapid growth these days…
The Impact and Warning Signs
These incidents highlight an important issue in the cryptocurrency world — how susceptible investors are to well-orchestrated scams. The use of deepfakes and hacked high-profile accounts shows that fraudsters exploit technology and social influence among crypto enthusiasts.
AI-driven fraud was never more evident than with these Musk deepfakes which warn against this type of thing happening again soon!
Investors should be cautious when it comes to giveaways happening online related to virtual money, especially if it seems too good to be true! Always authenticate the source before sharing any personal info or transferring funds blindly – better safe than sorry.
Stay Informed and Secure
With each passing day, crypto scams become more sophisticated so staying updated while taking necessary precautions remains vital. Keep tabs on reliable news outlets/ communities’ guidelines that can help safeguard investments against potential threats. If you suspect anything fishy going around, please report immediately both to the relevant authorities and platforms involved.
