Scammers on YouTube, going by a fake channel called “Tesla,” ran a live stream on Wednesday featuring a looping AI deepfake of Elon Musk announcing an “Crypto Giveaway” that will “double your wealth.” The video reached over 200,000 live viewers, directing them to a portal via QR code to deposit Ethereum and Bitcoin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo-EdfF6Xq0
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Scammers Create Deepfake Elon Musk, Run Crypto Scheme on YouTube pic.twitter.com/St66iU4JHI
— Valuetainment Media (@ValuetainmentTV) June 26, 2024
The channel is deceptively named “Tesla” but is actually registered under the handle @elon.teslanews. Somehow, it has 858,000 subscribers and was created in February 2019.
The page seems to have garnered trust and a fanbase by reuploading official company clips of Tesla products, such as the new Cybertruck.
Related: Dozens of New Cybertrucks Vandalized Near Miami: “F**k Elon”
“Biggest Crypto Giveaway of $100,000,000” QR code page reads. “During this unique event, you have the opportunity to take a share of 1,000 BTC & 10,000 ETH & 500,000 SOL & 100,000,000 DOGE.
It explains that one can “”do the transaction using any wallet or exchange” and claims the “doubled amount will be sent back to you immediately.”
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics and business for VT and a regular guest on The Unusual Suspects. Follow Shane’s work here.
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