In today’s fast-moving digital world, deepfake technology has evolved so rapidly that it’s now being used not only for entertainment but also for malicious purposes. One of the most dangerous forms of misuse is identity theft through AI-generated videos and images — especially to promote fake courses or services. These scams are flooding platforms like YouTube and Instagram, tricking unsuspecting users into paying for something endorsed by a celebrity or known figure, when in reality, it’s entirely fabricated.
This blog will walk you through the recent scam trend using deepfakes, how you can spot such scams, verify legitimacy, and most importantly, how to report these ads to help protect not just yourself but thousands of others.
Let’s begin by understanding how this scam works…
🧠 What’s Really Happening in These Deepfake Scams?
So far, we’ve seen AI doing wonders in voiceovers and filters. But now, AI-powered deepfake tools can create entire videos using a person’s face and voice — even if they never said or did what’s shown. Scammers are leveraging this tech to create:
- Fake promotional videos of popular influencers or creators endorsing stock market courses, crypto schemes, or get-rich-quick programs.
- AI-generated photographs or manipulated ad creatives using the face of known personalities.
- Cloned voices to narrate audio or video ads that appear ultra-realistic.
These videos and images are then used in paid advertisements on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, making them appear legitimate and hard to ignore.
⚠️ Why Is This Dangerous?
- Loss of Trust: People may believe the personality is endorsing the product, damaging reputations and trust.
- Financial Loss: Users fall for the scam, enroll in fake courses, or pay for non-existent services.
- Hard to Detect: AI technology has become so sophisticated that identifying real from fake is almost impossible without close scrutiny.
- Mass scale: It’s not limited to one or two scammers. Dozens (even hundreds) of scam accounts may be running the same fake ad simultaneously.
🔍 Let’s Understand How These Scams Operate Step-by-Step
Let’s break it down further so you know exactly what to look out for:
Step 1: AI Tools Create Fake Video or Image
Scammers use tools like DeepFaceLab, Synthesia, or similar platforms to manipulate facial expressions and voice samples.
Step 2: Attach Fake Promotions
They edit these videos/images to make it look like the creator is promoting a stock market course, investment opportunity, or online coaching offer.
Step 3: Run Ads on Social Platforms
Using ad platforms like Instagram Ads or YouTube Ads, scammers promote this fake content targeting specific interests like finance, investing, or online learning.
Step 4: Collect Payments via Fraudulent Landing Pages
They direct users to clone websites or fake course platforms, collect payments, and disappear — leaving no trace of the original scammer.
🛡️ How Can You Protect Yourself and Others from These Scams?
Now that you understand the mechanism, let’s focus on practical solutions. Here are actionable steps to take every time you encounter such content:
✅ Step 1: Verify from Official Sources
If you see any post, ad, or video featuring a known creator endorsing something:
- Go to their official YouTube channel or Instagram profile.
- Check if they’ve actually posted or mentioned that product.
- If not listed or promoted on any of their real channels — it’s fake.
💡 Tip: Verified accounts on YouTube or Instagram often have a blue checkmark. Use it to confirm the authenticity of the creator.
🚨 Step 2: Report the Ad or Post Immediately
If you come across a fake ad featuring a deepfake video or image, don’t ignore it — take 30 seconds to report it.
How to Report on Instagram:
- Click the three dots (…) on the top right of the ad/post.
- Select “Report Ad” or “Report”.
- Choose “Scam or fraud” as the reason.
- Submit.
How to Report on YouTube:
- Click the three-dot menu beside the ad or video title.
- Click “Report”.
- Choose “Misleading or scam”.
- Provide extra info like “This video uses deepfake to impersonate a creator.”
💡 When enough people report a scam, Instagram or YouTube will suspend or permanently ban the ad account or associated page.
🙋♂️ Why Your Report Matters (Even If You’re Not the Victim)
You might think, “Well, I’m not interested in this course anyway, so why should I bother?”
Here’s why your action matters:
- These scams target the vulnerable — people who are not tech-savvy, elderly, or students looking for job opportunities.
- Stopping one ad could prevent thousands of people from falling into a financial trap.
- Reporting is free, quick, and truly makes a difference.
So yes — even if you’re not the victim, you can be the hero that helps prevent someone else from becoming one.
🤔 Can AI Platforms Detect These Deepfakes Themselves?
While Instagram, Meta, and YouTube use content moderation systems powered by AI, even these platforms are struggling to keep up with the speed and realism of today’s deepfakes.
Here’s why:
- AI-generated videos now mimic facial micro-expressions and lip sync perfectly.
- Tools like ElevenLabs or D-ID can clone voices with just a 30-second sample.
- Most scam ad accounts run short-lived campaigns before getting banned, then reopen under new IDs.
That’s why community reporting remains the strongest weapon right now.
👥 Why Creators Alone Can’t Stop This
Even if a creator notices their face or voice being used in scams, they can’t stop every ad:
- Ad accounts may be created from different countries, using fake documents.
- Reporting and takedown requests take time through legal teams.
- Creators don’t have control over Meta or Google’s internal systems to immediately block misuse.
That’s where you—the viewer—become the support system that helps defend the digital ecosystem.
💪 What You Can Do Right Now (Action List)
Here’s your to-do checklist every time you spot a suspicious ad:
- 🔍 Double-check on the creator’s official profiles.
- 🧠 Be skeptical of any ad that seems “too good to be true.”
- 🚫 Never click or pay on ads that come from unknown sources.
- 📢 Report the ad directly to the platform.
- 📸 Take a screenshot of the fake ad and report to the original creator (via their verified contact or community).
🤝 A Community-Driven Solution Is the Best Solution
This problem isn’t going away tomorrow — but together, we can fight it. As a part of the internet community, your 30-second report might:
- Shut down a fake ad before thousands see it.
- Get a scam account permanently banned.
- Save someone from losing their hard-earned money.
It’s not about you being affected personally — it’s about keeping the space safe for everyone.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I know if a video is a deepfake?
A: Look closely for unnatural blinking, mismatched audio-lip sync, robotic hand gestures, or poor lighting transitions. If still unsure, verify from the official account.
Q: Can someone use my photo to make a deepfake too?
A: Yes, even a few publicly available photos can be used to create face swaps or animated videos. Always keep your privacy settings tight.
Q: Is it illegal to run deepfake scam ads?
A: Yes, impersonating someone without consent — especially for commercial purposes — is a criminal offense in most countries.
Q: What legal actions are being taken?
A: Creators often involve legal teams to send takedown notices, file impersonation complaints, and initiate cybercrime reports.
🙈 Tags & Hashtags
Tags (comma-separated):
deepfake scams, AI scam detection, report Instagram ads, fake YouTube ads, cybersecurity tips, scam prevention, impersonation fraud, Instagram safety, YouTube fraud, AI-generated video misuse
Hashtags (space-separated):
#DeepfakeScam #InstagramScam #YouTubeFraud #AIImpersonation #ReportScams #DigitalSafety #ScamAwareness #FakeAdsAlert #CyberSecurityTips
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational and awareness purposes only. The names, brands, or platforms mentioned are used only to highlight the nature of the scam and provide technical context. The responsibility of verifying content authenticity always lies with the user. If you are a victim or suspect impersonation, contact the platform directly or report it to your local cybercrime cell.
