Ontario Woman Loses $5,500 in Elaborate TikTok Scam Scheme

A woman from Guelph, Ontario, lost $5,500 in a sophisticated scam that began with her seeking pain management advice on TikTok. She was led to believe she was communicating with a U.S. army surgeon stationed in Yemen. After a few conversations, she was contacted by another individual claiming that the doctor had been arrested and required funds to escape from the country. Trusting the situation, she transferred money using a mobile app. When further requests for money arose, she became suspicious and alerted the police, but by then, significant funds had already been lost.

The rise of such impersonation scams on social media platforms like TikTok has alarmed experts. According to Ali Dehghantanha, the founding director of the University of Guelph’s master of cybersecurity and threat intelligence program, these scams are becoming increasingly convincing. He noted that advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, have enabled fraudsters to create realistic profiles, photos, and videos, and automate personalized messages on social media.

Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has attracted around 1.5 billion users, many of whom have fallen victim to various scams. A recent trend involves deepfake technology, which has evolved significantly, allowing scammers to impersonate doctors and health professionals. These deepfake avatars promote unapproved drugs and fictitious cures for serious health conditions, exploiting users’ trust in medical authority.

In mid-September, a report from cybersecurity firm Norton revealed another alarming trend. Scammers have been using deepfake videos featuring celebrities like Elon Musk and popular YouTuber MrBeast to lure users into scams promising $8,000 in Bitcoin. The videos instruct users to sign up and enter a promo code, leading them to deposit between $300 and $500 before the promised funds vanish.

Researchers from Trend Micro have also uncovered scams utilizing AI-generated videos on TikTok. These videos promise free software or premium features but instead infect users’ devices with malware. TikTok has issued warnings about these fraudulent applications, which often disguise themselves as legitimate software and carry serious security risks.

Scammers are increasingly using emotional manipulation tactics, as noted by cybersecurity firm Guardio, which reported networks of accounts posting AI-generated videos with malicious links. These videos often encourage viewers to “watch for nine seconds to help the cause,” leading to further exploitation.

TikTok has a dedicated “Scams” page that outlines various online frauds, including unrealistic returns and phishing scams. The company has been proactive in removing fraudulent accounts, but users remain vulnerable.

In light of these developments, experts recommend that users exercise caution when engaging with unfamiliar accounts, especially those offering unsolicited financial advice or assistance. Cybersecurity education is crucial, as fraudsters become more adept at exploiting the trust that users place in social media interactions.

As scams continue to evolve and exploit advancements in technology, the responsibility falls on both platforms like TikTok and users to remain vigilant against potential threats.