AI deepfake crypto scammers ramp up operations in Q2: Gen Digital

Crypto scammers using artificial intelligence-powered deepfake videos have been increasingly active in the second quarter of 2024, according to software firm Gen Digital, the parent company of antivirus firms Norton, Avast and Avira. 

In Gen Digital’s quarterly report, the company highlighted that they followed a group called “CryptoCore,” which used AI-powered deepfake scams to defraud crypto holders. 

The group touts fake crypto investments and exploits official videos of prominent individuals like Elon Musk, Michael Saylor, Vitalik Buterin and Larry Fink. It replaces the audio with AI-generated voices or mixes unofficial material with official footage to conduct their scams. 

Scam elements were added to the official footage of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. Source: Avast

Gen Digital said that the criminal organization spreads its videos on social media platforms like YouTube, X and TikTok. The scammers also use hacked social media accounts with large followings before displaying livestreams promoting their scams.

Cybercriminals continue to expand their toolkits

Gen Digital’s chief technology officer, Siggi Stefnisson, said that cybercriminals are expanding their toolkits with different uses of AI to strengthen attacks. The executive said that scammers are adept at exploiting what is most likely already on their target’s minds, including elections, love or financial security. Stefnisson said: 

“Now, with AI and other new tech, their schemes are more sophisticated and convincing than ever before. We urge consumers to stay informed and alert.”

The company also reported that the AI deepfake group they called CryptoCore has already gained millions from their attacks. In the last quarter, Gen Digital said that $5 million in crypto was lost to this attack vector. 

During SpaceX’s integrated flight test in June, Gen Digital estimated that 50 YouTube accounts were hijacked. This cyberattack resulted in 500 unauthorized transactions, leading to the theft of $1.4 million.

Related: McAfee introduces AI deepfake detection software for PCs

Most exploited topics include SpaceX and MicroStrategy

In August, antivirus software company Avast also conducted a deep dive into CryptoCore and learned that the most exploited topics using AI-powered deepfakes to conduct scams included SpaceX, MicroStrategy, Ripple, Tesla, BlackRock and Cardano. 

Most prevalent topics of highjacked YouTube accounts. Source: Avast

The firm noted that the scammers can now perform high-quality lip-syncing, which can mislead viewers into thinking that they are watching official promotions from prominent individuals. 

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