Online scammers are capitalizing on AI voice cloning technology to deceive users into falling for fake medical benefits scams on YouTube. Rather than relying on traditional phishing methods, scammers are using generative AI tools to create deepfake voices of celebrities like Steve Harvey and Taylor Swift, as well as real human impersonators. These deceptive videos have gained significant traction, with over 195 million views on more than 1,600 YouTube videos.
By chopping up clips of celebrities and utilizing AI-created voiceovers, scammers trick viewers into believing that these famous individuals are endorsing the scams. The videos often feature misleading YouTube account names like “USReliefGuide” and “Health Market Navigators”. One video impersonating Steve Harvey has amassed over 18 million views, featuring the deepfake encouraging viewers to claim a $6,400 stimulus check provided by the US government.
The scam follows a common template, where the celebrity or impersonator informs the audience about the stimulus check and urges them to click a link to apply for the benefits. However, the URLs redirect users to unauthorized websites like “secretsavingsusa.com” that collect sensitive personal information, including income, tax filing status, birth date, and even credit card details. These scams exploit confusion surrounding government programs and tax credits, leading unsuspecting victims into potential identity fraud.
The availability of affordable and user-friendly AI technology has contributed to the rise of deepfake celebrity scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) previously warned about fraudsters using deepfakes and voice clones for illegal activities like financial fraud and extortion. A survey conducted by PLOS One revealed that deepfake audio can deceive human listeners nearly 25% of the time, highlighting the effectiveness of these scams.
While lawmakers are striving to address the issue through proposed bills like the Deepfakes Accountability Act and the No Fakes Act, the passage of such legislation remains uncertain. Legislators have recently introduced the No AI FRAUD Act, aiming to establish a federal framework that protects individuals’ rights to their digital likeness, particularly artists and performers. However, with the rapid evolution of AI technology, it may prove challenging to keep up with scammers’ tactics and protect users from falling victim to such deception.
The source of the article is from the blog aovotice.cz