On Monday, a fraudulent YouTube stream impersonating Apple CEO Tim Cook emerged just before the highly anticipated iPhone 16 launch event. The stream, which used artificial intelligence to mimic Cook's voice, falsely promoted a cryptocurrency giveaway that quickly attracted over a million viewers.
The fake broadcast claimed that sending Dogecoin (DOGE) to a given "contribution address" would double the amount sent, alongside similar pitches targeting Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT). Viewers were lured by a convincing yet fake promise that crypto could create a fairer world.
The scammers managed to push their stream to the top of search results by including popular keywords related to Apple and even a recent hit song by British pop singer Charli XCX in their description. This tactic helped the stream appear legitimate and increase its visibility.
This scam is not an isolated incident. Fraudsters have previously exploited the hype surrounding Apple events for crypto scams. In 2022, a similar scam tricked tens of thousands of users into watching a fake stream promising crypto rewards. The advancement of AI and voice-mimicking technology has made these scams increasingly deceptive, as it's now easier to create convincing imitations of well-known figures.
As always, it is crucial for users to remain vigilant. If you encounter a stream or promotion that seems too good to be true, especially if it involves cryptocurrency, be cautious and verify its authenticity before taking any action.