Crypto Scammers Hijack Apple iPhone 16 Event with Fake Tim Cook Video
Scammers used a fake Tim Cook video to promote a cryptocurrency scam during Apple's iPhone 16 launch, misleading viewers into sending funds
During Apple’s big "Glowtime" event on September 9, 2024, a group of scammers used a fake video of Apple CEO Tim Cook to trick people into a cryptocurrency scam. These fake videos, also known as deepfakes, were streamed on YouTube and looked so real that many viewers believed they were watching an official Apple announcement.
The scammers aired their fake videos at the same time as Apple was unveiling its new iPhone 16, hoping to catch people’s attention. In the video, the deepfake of Tim Cook asked viewers to send cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, or Dogecoin to a specific wallet address, promising to return double the amount they sent. To make the scam look convincing, one of the YouTube channels even copied the official "Apple US" account, complete with a blue verification checkmark.
Some of these fake videos managed to get a large number of views, with reports suggesting that hundreds of thousands of people watched them. It's likely that the scammers used bots to increase the viewer count, making the videos look more popular and legitimate.
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In the deepfake video, the fake Tim Cook said, "Once you make a deposit, we will process it and send back double the amount you sent." This is a common trick used by scammers, often called a "double-your-money" scam, where they promise big returns but end up keeping all the money sent by unsuspecting people.
YouTube acted quickly after learning about these fake videos. On September 9, they posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to confirm that the scam videos were being removed. They also asked viewers to report any suspicious content. The fraudulent videos have since been taken down, and the fake accounts have been closed.
This type of scam is becoming more common as deepfake technology improves. Just a few months ago, in June 2024, scammers used a similar tactic by hijacking the YouTube channel of a major Australian news broadcaster to show a fake video of Elon Musk talking about cryptocurrency.
As technology makes it easier to create realistic fake videos, online scams are becoming more dangerous. Companies like YouTube need to stay alert to spot and stop these tricks, helping to protect people from losing their money to scammers.
Also Read: How Bitcoin and Blockchain Are Redefining the Digital Future Beyond Finance
