Scammers Register Over 1,000 Phishing Domains Daily Using Deepfake Videos of Celebrities

Cybersecurity firm CloudSEK has revealed a surge in phishing activities, with over 1,000 domains registered daily. Scammers are using deepfake videos featuring well-known Indian figures like Mukesh Ambani and Virat Kohli to promote questionable gaming apps. These videos manipulate footage of famous news anchors to create fake endorsements, aiming to deceive users into downloading these apps.

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The fraudulent campaigns have expanded beyond India, targeting users in Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and other regions. The scammers have even developed a counterfeit Play Store to make their operations appear legitimate. The report highlights that these scams are affecting netizens across more than seven countries.

Deepfake Technology and Prominent Figures

CloudSEK's research team has identified these deceptive campaigns using their deepfake detection technology. The fake videos feature prominent personalities such as Anant Ambani, Neeraj Chopra, Cristiano Ronaldo, James Donaldson, Mr. Beast, Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir endorsing the app.

The deepfake videos entice users by promising significant financial gains through minimal investments. They claim that users can easily multiply their money by playing the game. Virat Kohli is one of the most frequently targeted figures for these deepfakes in South Asia.

Manipulated News Broadcasts

The videos often begin with altered footage of respected news anchors like Shweta Singh from Aaj Tak, Arnab Goswami from Republic TV, and Sudhir Chaudhary. These fake broadcasts assert that the mobile application helps people from various backgrounds earn money effortlessly.

Initially, the scam targeted the European Union population in early September 2024. It later expanded to India and other regions such as Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asia.

Free Deepfake Detection Technology

CloudSEK has announced that its deepfake detection technology is now available for free to everyone. This tool aims to assist individuals in identifying deepfake videos and protecting themselves from such scams.

The cybersecurity firm emphasises the importance of awareness as scammers continue to exploit technology for fraudulent purposes. By offering this technology for free, CloudSEK hopes to empower users to recognise and avoid these deceptive schemes effectively.