CZ Cautions about AI Deepfake Threats as Cybercriminals Exploit Reliable Channels

Binance founder, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), has raised concerns about the increasing danger of artificial intelligence (AI) powered deepfakes, following a hacking incident involving Japanese crypto advocate, Mai Fujimoto. CZ's warning comes after Fujimoto, also known as Miss Bitcoin, was tricked into a Zoom call by a deepfake impersonator of an acquaintance.

The hacker then sent her a malware link which she unknowingly clicked, leading to her Telegram and MetaMask being compromised. This incident marks a rise in AI-driven scams, with a recent report from Bitget showing that deepfake technology was involved in nearly 40% of all high-value crypto frauds in 2024, leading to losses of at least $4.6 billion.

As AI technology advances, CZ advises users to avoid installing software from unofficial links, highlighting the importance of verifying trust through multiple channels.