Fake SpaceX you thought deepfake technology was limited to Hollywood films or political manipulation, think again. On Monday, during the awe-inspiring total solar eclipse that captivated millions across the United States, a nefarious scheme unfolded on YouTube. A fake SpaceX YouTube channel purportedly livestreamed the celestial event, but the broadcast took a sinister turn when viewers were confronted with an AI-generated speech from none other than Elon Musk himself—promoting a cryptocurrency investment scam.
The livestream, which garnered a staggering 95,000 viewers
showcased a deepfake version of Elon Musk urging users to scan a QR code displayed on the screen and deposit cryptocurrencies with the promise of doubling their investments. The shocking revelation was first brought to light by the research group and iOS developer Mysk
who promptly flagged the fraudulent activity.
The channel, boasting 310,000 subscribers, had undergone a clever rebranding to mimic SpaceX’s official branding
making it all the more convincing to unsuspecting viewers. What’s more alarming is that the video remains live and easily accessible
appearing prominently in search results for “solar eclipse livestream.”
Deepfake Elon Musk Speech Promotes Crypto Scam
Entitled “Live: Solar Eclipse Spectacular 2024 of SpaceX,” the livestream featured a prerecorded video of Elon Musk addressing a crowd. However, instead of Musk’s authentic voice, an AI-generated voice delivered a persuasive spiel promoting a cryptocurrency investment opportunity
enticing viewers with the allure of doubling their returns.
According to Mashable, the fraudulent video prominently displayed a QR code bearing the message “Eclipse of 2024 – Change your life,” urging viewers to scan and invest. Upon scanning the QR code, unsuspecting victims were directed to a deceptively legitimate-looking website impersonating SpaceX
where they were prompted to participate in the scam.
Escalation of the Scam
The scam didn’t stop with the livestream itself. Users reported encountering live chats from the fake Elon Musk account
enticing them with promises of a grand giveaway to commemorate the total solar eclipse. The chat messages included links to a scam website—eclipse-spaceX.com—hosted in Russia. To further entice victims
a fabricated message from the duplicitous Elon Musk claimed that substantial amounts of Bitcoin and Ethereum had already distributed to viewers.
This incident is not an isolated one. YouTube has plagued by similar scams involving SpaceX and Elon Musk in the past. In October, a manipulated video circulated featuring Musk purportedly endorsing a cryptocurrency trading platform, BitVex.
Musk’s Response
Responding to the fraudulent activity, Elon Musk distanced himself from the scam in a succinct tweet
emphasizing that he not involved in any such promotions. “Yikes. Def not me,” the tech mogul remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
According to El País, the proliferation of deepfake crypto scams on platforms like Twitter underscores the urgent need for vigilance against fraudulent schemes. As cryptocurrency continues to gain traction
it’s imperative for users to exercise caution and skepticism
especially in the face of seemingly enticing offers that may turn out to be elaborate hoaxes.
As technology evolves, so too do the methods employed by scammers to deceive unsuspecting victims. The rise of deepfake technology poses significant challenges in combating online fraud
necessitating heightened awareness and proactive measures to safeguard against such malicious activities.