Scammers are deploying AI-generated videos of global superstars including Taylor Swift and Rihanna to promote fraudulent services on TikTok, according to authentication company Copyleaks.
The fraudulent advertisements typically feature celebrities in familiar settings such as red carpets, podcasts, or talk shows. These ads often manipulate real footage with AI technology to create convincing impersonations, the company reported.
Many of these campaigns promote rewards programs that promise users can earn money simply by watching TikTok content and providing feedback. Some ads even use official TikTok branding to appear legitimate, though they ultimately redirect users to third-party sites designed to collect personal data.
In one specific instance, a realistic AI avatar of Swift encourages viewers to sign up for a feature called 'TikTok Pay.' Another ad features a fake Rihanna stating, “you literally just watch content and give your opinion.”
Platforms struggle with deepfake surge
Social media platforms are currently struggling to manage the rapid rise of convincing deepfakes. According to reports from The Verge, Meta’s platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, face billions of scam ads daily, and the company's own oversight board has acknowledged a deepfake problem.
YouTube has also stated it is "investing heavily" in its ability to stop celebrity-based scam ads.
Celebrities are attempting to protect their likenesses through legal channels. Last week, Taylor Swift filed new trademark applications for clips of her voice to prevent further AI-generated copycats.
