Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has issued a stark warning about the rising threat of AI-powered deepfake attacks in the crypto space, following a real-world case involving Japanese crypto influencer Mai Fujimoto—widely known as Miss Bitcoin.
Deepfake Scam Hits Trusted Figure
On June 20, Fujimoto revealed she was tricked into a Zoom video call with someone she believed was a trusted contact. The scammer had already taken over her acquaintance’s Telegram account and used deepfake video technology to mimic their appearance in real-time.
“The face looked exactly like hers—I had no idea it was a fake,” Fujimoto said. After facing audio issues during the call, she was sent a seemingly harmless link to fix the problem. Upon clicking it, malware infiltrated her system, compromising both her Telegram and MetaMask wallets, and leading to the hijack of her main X (Twitter) account.
She has since warned followers not to engage with the compromised account and pleaded for it to be reported for impersonation.
CZ Sounds the Alarm
CZ took to social media to address the incident, warning his 10 million+ followers that even video call verification can no longer be trusted. “Even a video call verification will soon be out of the window,” he cautioned. He stressed the growing risk of AI-generated impersonations and urged users never to download or install software from unverified or unofficial links—even if shared by friends.
A Growing AI Threat to Crypto
The attack on Fujimoto is part of a broader trend. According to a recent Bitget report, deepfakes were involved in nearly 40% of high-value crypto scams in 2024, contributing to losses of more than $4.6 billion. Criminals have increasingly used AI to create fake videos of public figures, simulate support chats, and weaponize platforms like Zoom to spread malware.
Another study by Chainalysis highlighted how bad actors are using deepfakes to bypass KYC verification systems, making crypto-related fraud more sophisticated and harder to detect.
In Hong Kong, police recently arrested 31 individuals connected to a criminal ring that used AI-generated videos of crypto executives to steal over $34 million.
Stay Vigilant in the Age of AI
The message from CZ and industry experts is clear: AI-powered scams are on the rise, and even trusted communication platforms can be exploited. As deepfake technology improves, crypto users must adopt stricter verification practices and avoid clicking any links—even from seemingly legitimate sources.
