A Florida man is out tens of thousands of dollars and faces the risk of getting divorced after falling prey to scammers using AI to generate a deepfake video of Elon Musk.
George Hendricks, 69, of Leesburg, Florida, says he believed he was participating in a legitimate Elon Musk car giveaway after engaging with a Facebook group that appeared to promote prizes tied to the billionaire, reports the local media outlet News 6.
Hendricks says the scheme began when he commented in the group and received a direct message congratulating him on winning $100,000 and a brand-new car. He was subsequently instructed to move the conversation to WhatsApp, a messaging app frequently used in online fraud schemes.
After switching platforms, Hendricks says he received a personalized video message that appeared to show Musk himself confirming the prize. The scammers told him he needed to pay $7,500 in cash to cover shipping costs for the vehicle. Hendricks says he complied, photographing the cash and sending the images as proof.
Soon after, the scammers introduced what they described as an investment opportunity, promising $120,000 in returns on a $10,000 contribution. When Hendricks questioned the offer, he says the fraudsters sent an AI deepfake video of Musk for reassurance.
“I’d never take advantage of you or your funds. Trust me with your whole heart. God knows I have no bad intentions.”
Over the following weeks, the scammers exchanged hundreds of messages with Hendricks. He ultimately drained bank accounts and maxed out credit cards, sending nearly $37,000 more on top of the initial payment. In total, he lost close to $45,000.
When no car or payout ever arrived, Hendricks says he filed a report with the Leesburg Police Department.
The financial damage has spilled into his personal life. Hendricks says the loss has placed his home in jeopardy and severely strained his marriage of nearly four decades.
“She wants to get a divorce [because of the scam].”
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