Key Takeaways
- Multiple deepfakes of Elon Musk promoted a Bitcoin scam on YouTube.
- The video attracted over 30,000 viewers before being removed.
- Scams using deepfake technology and Musk's likeness are on the rise.
A five-hour YouTube Live broadcast featuring a deepfake of Elon Musk promoted a Bitcoin scam, continuing a surge of similar fraudulent streams.
According to a June 23 Engadget report, the video, now removed, purported to show a live Tesla event.
An AI-generated version of Musk’s voice directed viewers to a website, urging them to deposit Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or Dogecoin (DOGE) with the promise of “automatically sending back double the amount.”
The stream
The stream, titled Tesla’s [sic] unveils a masterpiece: The Tesla that will change the car industry forever, peaked with over 30,000 viewers, although bot inflation may have contributed to these numbers.
It topped YouTube’s Live Now recommendations and was hosted by the channel @elon.teslastream, which had the Official Artist Channel verification badge, suggesting a possible account compromise.
Video removal
YouTube removed both the video and the channel after an inquiry from Engadget. This incident is part of a rising trend in Elon Musk deepfake scams, often impersonating his companies. Earlier in June, Cointelegraph reported on 35 accounts posing as SpaceX running similar scams during the Starship launch.
In April, scammers capitalized on eclipse enthusiasm using the same tactic, according to Mashable. These scams have been a persistent issue, targeting Musk’s followers and other celebrities on social media. Recently, 50 Cent’s social media accounts were hacked to promote a pump-and-dump scheme.
Musk’s influence in the Bitcoin space primarily stems from his significant social media presence and his companies’ involvement with digital currencies. As CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk’s statements about Bitcoin and Dogecoin often cause major market movements.
