Seven Network’s YouTube channel was hacked by crypto scammers who used a deep fake video of Elon Musk to promote a cryptocurrency scam promising to double investments.
The development and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology have surged rapidly in recent years, notably following the launch of the ChatGPT chatbot by OpenAI in December 2022. Today, a vast array of software and tools are available on the internet, allowing individuals to create deep fakes, forge documents, and even develop illicit software.
On 26 June 2024, the YouTube channel of Australia’s Seven Network, a prominent Australian television network known for its wide-ranging news coverage and entertainment programming, was hijacked by crypto scammers. The scammers rebranded the channel to look like Tesla’s official channel and posted a deep fake video featuring Elon Musk. In the video, the AI-generated Musk promoted a cryptocurrency scam promising to double any crypto sent to a specified address. Although links to the hijacked channel were broken, it still displayed Seven Network’s verification tick.
A spokesperson from Seven Network confirmed awareness of the issue and stated they are working with YouTube to resolve it promptly.
It is worth it to note that this incident occurred as Seven West Media, the parent company, faced challenges with significant job cuts impacting marketing roles, illustrating broader repercussions of online security threats.
In the last couple of years, numerous YouTube live streams impersonating Elon Musk appeared, promising viewers doubled investments coinciding with SpaceX’s Starship launch. This surge in deep fake scams exploited public interest in both Musk and cryptocurrency.
Last month, Hong Kong’s securities regulator shut down a firm using AI-generated Musk videos to promote a fake AI crypto trading service. This action highlights the use of advanced technology to enhance credibility in fraudulent schemes.
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