Scams and threats to avoid, plus new security tools
WATCH OUT FOR... Fiona Bruce deepfake video scam
What’s the threat?
Scammers have created a video that uses the likeness of BBC presenter Fiona Bruce to promote a fake financial trading scheme. It’s the latest example of deepfake scams, in which fraudsters try to legitimise an offer using the face of a respected celebrity, and a voice impersonation created by artificial intelligence (AI).
The clip, which spread across Facebook, is designed to look as if Bruce is talking on BBC News. She appears to say that tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has invested $3bn into a trading business that means “Britons won’t have to work anymore”, adding that “we asked Elon about the news and here are his comments on it”.
It then cuts to more deepfake footage of Musk in which he is shown claiming that participants can earn £5,700 a day using a strategy that trades stocks “with a 91-per-cent success rate”.
He then appears to say: “I believe this software can help cure some of our most painful and harsh realities – poverty, it can help people, really help people”. The footage ends by directing viewers to follow a link to take part in the scheme.
How can you stay safe?
Facebook has now removed the video, but deepfake scams are growing as a threat. Musk will continue to have his likeness used, so always avoid schemes that claim to have his backing.
What’s worrying though is how fraudsters are now using people well-known only in the UK. This particular scam follows a video in July apparently showing MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis endorsing another Musk investment plan (www.snipca.com/47199). Never click a financial ‘get rich quick’ advert, whether on social media or in search results, no matter who appears to be promoting it.
New tools
Norton Genie scam detector
www.snipca.com/47133
If you’re not sure whether an email or text is a scam, try Norton Genie for a second opinion. Visit the URL above, click Try Genie Online, then either copy and paste the words from a potential scam, or upload a screenshot of it. Click ‘Begin scan’ and Genie will analyse the words, links, scam tactics and “other red flags”.
You shouldn’t rely entirely on i
