2. Deepfake Impersonation:
Another common tactic is impersonation, made terrifyingly effective by deepfake technology. Scammers create convincing videos of prominent figures, such as Elon Musk or even Brad Garlinghouse (Ripple’s CEO), promoting fake crypto investment opportunities. These videos are often disguised as ads on YouTube, making them more believable.
Imagine seeing a video of Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, seemingly endorsing a new cryptocurrency. Sounds implausible, right? Yet, it’s effective. The combination of a recognizable face, a seemingly legitimate endorsement, and a sense of urgency creates potent FOMO.
The quality of deepfakes is constantly improving. While you might spot the telltale signs today, that won’t always be the case.
Your best defense is healthy skepticism. Ask yourself: Why would this person be promoting a crypto investment via a social media ad? Does it seem authentic and consistent with their persona? Does it sound too good to be true?
