Surge in Celebrity Deepfake Scams on TikTok Targeting Users

• •AI-generated deepfake scams are proliferating on TikTok, featuring celebrities like Taylor Swift.
• •Scammers use manipulated videos and official branding to deceive users into providing personal information.
• •Celebrities are taking legal action to protect their images from AI misuse amid rising fraud concerns.

A recent report by Copyleaks reveals a significant increase in scams on TikTok utilizing AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Rihanna. These deepfake ads mimic real interviews and use TikTok's branding to promote fraudulent services, such as fake money-making programs. Users clicking on these ads are redirected to third-party websites that solicit personal information. The deepfakes often feature manipulated video and audio, making them appear convincing despite some noticeable flaws. The report indicates that these scams exploit celebrity credibility to lure users into providing sensitive data. In response to the growing misuse of their images, celebrities like Swift have taken legal steps to protect their likenesses. The trend highlights the challenges social media platforms face in combating deepfake technology and associated scams. Copyleaks has documented similar scams across various platforms, indicating a broader issue of AI misuse in online fraud.