AI-POWERED CELEBRITY IMPERSONATION SCAMS: A THREAT INTELLIGENCE REPORT BY REDHUNT LABS

Summary from the TLDR InfoSec newsletter

RedHunt Labs discovered a complex AI-driven investment scam targeting Indian users through Facebook and Instagram ads featuring deepfake videos of celebrities like Nirmala Sitharaman, Sadhguru, and Neha Kakkar promoting fake investment platforms. Victims lost an average of over ₹50,000. The scammers use deepfake technology to create convincing fake interviews and endorsements, bypassing Facebook's ad review system through short-lived campaigns and fake Amazon links. They redirect victims to counterfeit news websites impersonating major Indian media outlets like NDTV and India Today. The campaign involves a network of over 1,000 interconnected fraudulent websites and uses multiple payment methods, including UPI transfers and international bank accounts. It has expanded beyond social media to include compromised websites, fake Medium blog posts, and SEO manipulation to reach victims across multiple platforms.