A group of researchers has warned of an increase in cryptocurrency scams that use fake images of Spanish celebrities, such as David Broncano and Laura Escanes, to convince users to invest in cryptocurrencies. These scams are carried out from spoofed websites, and their aim is to steal the money invested.
Cryptocurrency scams are a recurring type of scam that appears in different formats to trick users into investing in cryptocurrencies. Cybercriminals use various techniques, including impersonating websites and celebrities, to steal victims' money. In 2023, there were cryptocurrency scam campaigns where malicious actors used celebrity images to trick users into investing. Recently, the value of cryptocurrencies has risen, leading cybersecurity company ESET to warn of a resurgence in cryptocurrency scams using this technique.
An increase in campaigns has been detected in which malicious actors use claims with retouched images and AI-modified videos of Spanish celebrities, such as TV presenters David Broncano and Carlos Sobera, to attract the attention of potential victims. The fake images of celebrities include situations such as arrests or signs of injuries that indicate that these personalities have suffered a physical assault. Accompanied by fake news stories with catchy headlines, these are actually fraudulent advertisements that direct users to cryptocurrency scams.