LEESBURG, Fla. – A couple from Leesburg finds themselves in financial distress after falling victim to a purported car giveaway linked to billionaire Elon Musk, losing tens of thousands of dollars in the process.
George Hendricks, aged 69, describes his current situation as life-altering after being swindled out of nearly $45,000. This financial blow threatens not only his home but also his marriage of 39 years.
“She’s considering a divorce,” Hendricks admitted. When asked if the reason was linked to the scam, he confirmed, “Yes.”
The deception began when Hendricks engaged with a Facebook group claiming to host a car giveaway by Elon Musk, one of numerous similar groups scattered across the internet.
[WATCH: Florida man believed he was engaging in business with Elon Musk. Discover the unfolding events]
Hendricks noted that the association with Elon Musk lent the scam an air of credibility.
Hendricks then received a Facebook message congratulating him on winning $100,000 and a brand-new car.
The crooks asked him to switch to WhatsApp, a free messaging app commonly used by criminals because of its private, encrypted communication.
Hendricks then got a personalized video message, which he believed was from Musk himself, promising delivery of the prize package.
However, he was told he had to pay $7,500 in cash to ship the car. Hendricks took pictures of the cash and sent it.
Soon after, he was presented with investment opportunities promising returns of $120,000 on a $10,000 investment.
When Hendricks expressed skepticism, he received another video message: “I’d never take advantage of you or your funds. Trust me with your whole heart. God knows I have no bad intentions.”
The scammers exchanged hundreds of messages with Hendricks, who ended up draining bank accounts and maxing out credit cards, sending nearly $37,000 more.
When no payout or car arrived, Hendricks filed a report with Leesburg police.
[WATCH: Dangers of AI deepfake images and videos]
Hendricks is not alone. This year, AARP reported on ads using Musk’s image to steal victims’ savings.
Kieran Human is the security enablement lead with cybersecurity company ThreatLocker.
“A deepfake video is something that’s being generated to look like somebody, but it’s not,” Human said.
The videos are not at all difficult to make and can be made in minutes, according to Human.
“With a 30-second, 60-second clip [of someone speaking] and you can make a video,” Human said.
Human said there are signs to watch for, like the body and neck not moving in the videos; even to take a breath, only the face moves.
But as A.I. improves, so will deepfakes.
“It’s just going to be a matter of time until people do start adding that breathing to the videos, and people are just going to have to be more cautious,” Human warned.
“I know it’s going on all the time, you just never think it’s going to be you,” Hendricks said.
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