In a worrying turn of events, a cybersecurity company has issued a warning about a new scam involving artificial intelligence and the image of famous footballer Lionel Messi. Scammers have reportedly turned to deep fake technology to superimpose Messi's voice onto a public video, promoting a suspicious app called " Wildcat Dive . "
The fraudulent video, which has been spread through the social network Instagram, shows the Argentine soccer player attributing this application as one of his main sources of income and stating that it has helped thousands of people make money. However, the cybersecurity company ESET has warned that this ad is not authentic advertising , but rather a deep fake designed to deceive users.
The deep fake in question uses fragments of a real interview that Messi gave to the Argentine streaming program “Olga”. In the altered video, the voices of the interviewer and Messi have been artificially modified, creating the illusion of a legitimate promotion. To reinforce the credibility of the hoax, the scammers have included mentions of Messi's other legitimate sources of income and have interspersed videos of real advertisements.
The ESET research team has examined the “Wildcat Dive” app and found that it is only available for iPhone devices on the official iOS store. The application is presented as a puzzle game with no mention of the possibility of monetary gains, except for the search for “treasures” within the game. Although the app does not work after downloading, some reviews suggest that the game could include betting features that would allow users to invest money and make profits.
Martina López, Computer Security researcher at ESET Latin America, commented in a press release that, although the application seems harmless, reviews indicate that there could be more than meets the eye. The company advises caution and offers tips to recognize and avoid falling for these types of scams.
ESET Tips to Avoid Deep Fake Scams:
- Verify the Source: Always confirm the authenticity of any promotion through official channels.
- Be wary of Easy Earnings: Be skeptical of applications or services that promise high earnings without effort.
- Research Reviews: Look for opinions and feedback from multiple sources before downloading apps.
- Update Security Knowledge: Stay informed on the latest scam tactics and how to protect yourself.
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of surveillance in the digital age and the need to question the authenticity of what we see online.