A few moments before Apple’s Glowtime event on September 9, 2024, the official YouTube channel of the tech giant was breached. Thugs swarmed the site with fake videos of Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO endorsing a cryptocurrency giveaway con.
Breaking News: Apple’s Official US YouTube Channel Hacked
Apple’s official US YouTube channel has been hacked! A fake AI-generated video of Tim Cook is currently streaming, asking viewers for Bitcoin.
The fraudulent live stream included an impersonation of Tim Cook, who encouraged viewers to send Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, or Tether to a contribution address with the promise that their contributions would be doubled. In less than thirty minutes, the stream had attracted over one million viewers, including bots, thereby boosting the credibility of the scam.
The Anatomy of the Scam
The scam stream asserted that the giveaway would bring faster adoption of cryptocurrencies into circulation, advancing the narrative of building a more equitable financial environment. Similarly, scammers urged audiences to scan a QR code with their mobile phones to participate in the so-called ‘double-your-money’ scheme.
Timing and Swift Response
This particular scam occurred just as Apple was preparing for the release of the iPhone 16, which generated substantial interest. Apple was quick to remove the fake streams and block the users responsible for creating them on YouTube. However, this case underscores that contemporary crypto scams are far more sophisticated than previously imagined, often employing synthetic media such as deepfakes of notable personalities, including Tim Cook and Elon Musk.
Exploiting New Product Releases
Fraudsters also capitalized on the buzz surrounding the new product release by promoting Dogecoin (DOGE). Many were deceived into sending DOGE due to the giveaway, which purportedly aimed to create a fairer world. This incident highlights how artificial intelligence and social engineering are actively used in fraudulent schemes.
Global Risks and AI Threats
The 2024 “Global Risks Report” by the World Economic Forum has also predicted an increase in the threats posed by the deployment of Artificial Intelligence. This case serves as a wake-up call to the ever-present dangers that users encounter in cyberspace.
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