Three particular celebrities have been revealed as the biggest tools of con-artists. And no, they’re not doing it on purpose – it turns out that Sydney Sweeney, Johnny Depp, and Taylor Swift are frequently used by scammers using AI to con people out of their money.
Want to know how it works? Read on.
At a glance:
- Celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, Kylie Jenner, and Taylor Swift top McAfee’s 2024 Celebrity Hacker Hotlist for being used in online scams, especially those involving artificial intelligence.
- These scams involve fake endorsements, ticket scams, disinformation, and even cryptocurrency fraud, targeting unsuspecting fans.
- McAfee advises internet users to scrutinize social media content and validate sources to avoid falling victim to these scams.
Online scammers have shifted their tactics from traditional schemes like the infamous “Nigerian prince” scam to using celebrity images and likenesses, tapping into people’s admiration for famous figures. According to McAfee’s 2024 Celebrity Hacker Hotlist, actress Scarlett Johansson tops the list of celebrities most frequently used in artificial intelligence-driven scams. Johansson’s image has been used without permission in unauthorized ads and endorsements, a particularly jarring violation considering her vocal opposition to the misuse of AI technology.
Other stars on the list include reality TV star Kylie Jenner and pop icon Taylor Swift, both frequently impersonated in various internet scams. Swift, in particular, has been exploited in fake endorsement schemes, ticket scams, and even political disinformation.
McAfee’s list includes both veteran actors like Tom Hanks, who has been linked to fraudulent promotions of “miracle cures,” and younger stars like Anya Taylor-Joy and Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter’s likeness has shockingly been used to promote explicit content apps. Sydney Sweeney, Blake Lively, Johnny Depp, and Addison Rae also feature prominently on the list, with Sweeney being linked to cryptocurrency scams.
McAfee advises fans to be cautious of online content featuring celebrities and recommends verifying sources before engaging with any promotions or endorsements to avoid being scammed.
With no sign of AI development slowing down, we’re bound to see a growing number of scams like these – and you should be on the lookout.