Popular YouTuber MrBeast took to social media this week to warn his fans about a new scam making the rounds – deepfake ads promoting a fake iPhone giveaway.
In a video posted to X on Tuesday, MrBeast revealed that deepfake technology was being used to create realistic-looking videos of him promoting a contest to give away 10,000 free iPhone 15 Pros. However, he confirmed that these ads are completely fake and designed to scam his fans.
“Lots of people are getting this deepfake scam ad of me…are social media platforms ready to handle the rise of AI deepfakes?” wrote MrBeast. “This is a serious problem.”
The deepfake ads show an eerily realistic MrBeast telling viewers they are one of 10,000 lucky people who can claim a free iPhone for just $2. He encourages them to click a link to take advantage of the non-existent offer.
MrBeast pointed out small details that reveal the videos are fake, like the monotone, robotic-sounding voice. But he expressed concern that most people would not notice these red flags.
The scam raises difficult questions about social media platforms’ preparedness to deal with this kind of AI-powered disinformation. MrBeast argued the deepfakes pose a serious threat that needs to be addressed.
His fans largely agreed, pointing out the ads could easily dupe unsuspecting viewers. They advised being vigilant and looking for signs like an unnatural voice or stiff facial expressions.
MrBeast became the platform’s top creator this year thanks to his popular stunts and giveaways. But this incident highlights the potential for bad actors to leverage his fame and trustworthiness with realistic deepfakes. It remains to be seen how sites like X will combat this emerging threat.