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Fake Elon Musk YouTube Livestream Scam
Fake Elon Musk YouTube streams supposedly promoting crypto schemes aren’t new. On Monday, during the total solar eclipse in the US, a fake SpaceX YouTube channel livestreamed a video featuring an AI-generated speech of Elon Musk promoting a crypto investment scheme.
Details of the Scam
- The livestream showed a deepfake of Elon Musk asking users to scan a QR code on the screen and deposit cryptocurrencies to have them doubled.
- The channel, impersonating SpaceX, has 310K subscribers and the video is still live, easily accessible by searching for “solar eclipse livestream.”
Impersonation and Deception
The video titled “Live: Solar Eclipse Spectacular 2024 of SpaceX” played a pre-recorded video of Musk with an AI-generated voice promoting a crypto investment opportunity and promising double returns. The QR code in the video directed viewers to a scammer’s website impersonating SpaceX.
Response and Warning
After the incident, Elon Musk responded to the situation, clarifying that he is not involved in any fake promotions. This is not the first time such scams have targeted SpaceX and Musk’s videos on YouTube.
Prevalence of Deepfake Crypto Scams
Impersonating media outlets and spreading fake news, especially during the crypto boom, has become a common trend. Social media platforms like Twitter are identified as breeding grounds for deepfake crypto scams to spread rapidly.
Ian is a cryptocurrency enthusiast blending humor with professionalism. With an engineering background and a storyteller's heart, he simplifies the blockchain world with sharp analysis and a touch of wit. At Cryptowire, he brings his unique perspective to make digital financial innovation accessible to all.
