Ontario Woman Loses $5,500 in Elaborate TikTok Scam

A woman from Guelph, Ontario, fell victim to a sophisticated scam after seeking pain management advice from someone she believed to be a U.S. army surgeon. The individual, who claimed to be stationed in Yemen, engaged her in conversation on TikTok, leading her to trust him. After a few exchanges, she was contacted by another person claiming that the doctor had been arrested and needed money to secure his release. Ultimately, she transferred a total of $5,500 using a money transfer app, only to realize she had been scammed when further requests for funds raised her suspicions.

The rise of scams on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, has become a growing concern. According to Ali Dehghantanha, the founding director of the University of Guelph’s master of cybersecurity and threat intelligence program, such impersonation scams are increasingly convincing. Dehghantanha noted that advancements in artificial intelligence, especially generative AI, have enabled criminals to create realistic profiles and automate personalized messages, making it easier to deceive unsuspecting users.

Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has attracted approximately 1.5 billion users, and scammers have exploited this vast audience. Various tactics have emerged, utilizing AI to enhance fraudulent schemes. Recent findings from cybersecurity researchers have revealed a network of deepfake doctors on TikTok, promoting unapproved drugs and fake cures for serious ailments. These deepfakes often use the likenesses of real physicians to bolster their credibility.

In addition to health-related scams, fraudulent schemes involving deepfake technology have proliferated. For example, a campaign uncovered by cybersecurity company Norton in mid-September featured deepfakes of well-known figures like Elon Musk and popular YouTuber MrBeast. These videos promised users US$8,000 in Bitcoin, enticing them to enter a promo code. However, users were later asked to deposit between $300 and $500 to access the promised funds, resulting in financial losses when the money vanished.

Further complicating matters, cybersecurity firm Trend Micro reported on scams using AI-generated videos on TikTok that promised users access to free software or premium app features. Instead of legitimate downloads, these videos often led to malware infecting users’ devices.

TikTok has acknowledged the issue, warning users about scammers imitating their app and selling fraudulent software that carries malware. The platform has a dedicated “Scams” page, detailing various types of online fraud, including Ponzi schemes and phishing scams. Nonetheless, the company has not yet responded to inquiries regarding ongoing efforts to protect users from scams.

As scams continue to evolve, the advice for users remains critical. Maintaining vigilance and skepticism when interacting with unknown individuals online is essential. Experts emphasize the importance of verifying identities and being cautious about sharing personal information or sending money.

With scams becoming more prevalent and sophisticated, awareness and education on the dangers of online fraud are more important than ever. The Guelph woman’s experience serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the urgent need for increased cybersecurity measures and user education on social media platforms.