MrBeast Warns Fans of iPhone Giveaway Scam With His Deepfake

MrBeast has warned that a video for an iPhone giveaway that appears to be fronted by him is actually an artificial intelligence (AI) generated deepfake scam.

Jimmy Donaldson, who is more popularly known as YouTuber MrBeast, condemned an AI-generated video of him advertising a fake giveaway for an iPhone 15.

The AI-generated clip, which seems to have been originally shared on TikTok, shows a deepfaked version of MrBeast promoting a giveaway for the iPhone 15.

“If you’re watching this video, you’re one of the 10,000 lucky people who will get an iPhone 15 pro for just $2,” the deepfaked YouTuber says in the video.

“I’m MrBeast and I am doing the world’s largest iPhone 15 giveaway. Click the link below to claim yours now.”

The AI-generated ad also includes a link to trick viewers to claim Apple’s latest smartphone. While it is not fully clear what the deepfake scam involves, it usually entails the victim following the link and submitting their bank details to the scammer — who will then try to defraud them.

‘This is a Serious Problem’

MrBeast took to social media today to warn his fans about the AI-generated video. The YouTuber criticized social media platforms for not stopping the circulation of such deepfake scams.

“Lots of people are getting this deepfake scam ad of me,” MrBeast writes in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Are social media platforms ready to handle the rise of AI deepfakes? This is a serious problem.”

MrBeast’s statement comes a day after Tom Hanks warned fans about an AI-generated deepfake ad featuring him. The video uses a digital version of the Oscar-winning actor’s face and voice to promote dental insurance.

“Beware! There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me,” Hanks writes in a post on Instagram for his 9.5 million followers. “I have nothing to do with it”.

Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.