Kenny Li, the co-founder of Manta Network, recently exposed a sophisticated phishing scam he encountered that involved the use of deepfake technology during a Zoom call. On April 17, Li shared his experience on social media, describing how the fraudsters utilized prerecorded videos of acquaintances to feign authenticity in a seemingly normal meeting setup. These digital impersonators managed to create a very convincing facade by displaying videos of familiar faces with their cameras seemingly on, though Li quickly realized something was amiss when there was no accompanying audio. The fraudsters tried to coax him into downloading a dubious script file, pretending it was a necessary Zoom update.
Li’s skepticism saved him from falling prey to the scam as he immediately exited the call. He tried to verify the identity of the person who had contacted him by reaching out through Telegram, only to be blocked and have the conversation deleted. Li suspects that the notorious North Korea-affiliated Lazarus Group is behind this elaborate attempt. Despite the deletion, he managed to capture screenshots of the Telegram conversation, indicating the seriousness of the threat.
### Zoom Deepfake Scam Targets the Crypto Sector
This incident is not an isolated case. A member of ContributionDAO also reported a similar experience where they were pressured into downloading a customized Zoom client, with the attackers refusing alternatives like Google Meet. This suggests a concerted effort to target individuals in the cryptocurrency sector with sophisticated phishing scams employing deepfake technology to distribute malware.
Another cryptocurrency enthusiast, known as “Meekdonald,” shared that a friend fell victim to a similar scam, highlighting the coordinated nature of these phishing attempts. They aim to exploit the crypto community by using highly realistic deepfake technology, posing a significant threat to the security of digital assets.
Last year, a report by blockchain security firm SlowMist uncovered a phishing attack that masqueraded as a fake Zoom meeting link, leading to the theft of millions in cryptocurrency. This serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which cybercriminals will go to exploit the digital currency ecosystem.
The crypto community is urged to be extra cautious with unexpected download requests, especially those disguised as software updates or files necessary for communication. These incidents underscore the importance of vigilance in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks.
“Stay alert! Manta Network’s co-founder shares his encounter with a deepfake Zoom scam. #CyberSecurity #DeepFake #Cryptocurrency”
