Fake NFL Stream Lures Viewers into AI-Generated Trump Crypto Scam

A YouTube stream masquerading as a live broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants game tricked viewers into an elaborate cryptocurrency scam. The fake stream, which had around 11,000 viewers at the time, showed President Donald Trump promoting a cryptocurrency backed by the US dollar and urging viewers to act quickly. However, the event was not real, and the likenesses and voices of officials appeared to be generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence.

The scam follows a pattern seen before, where scammers use major news events, celebrities, or popular live programming to draw viewers into fake YouTube broadcasts. Researchers have documented campaigns where criminals took control of existing YouTube channels, changed their names, and streamed deepfake videos promoting cryptocurrency offers. These videos often display QR codes that send viewers to fraudulent websites designed to resemble legitimate cryptocurrency or corporate pages.

The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers to be suspicious of any unexpected cryptocurrency pitch involving a government official, celebrity, or well-known figure, particularly when the message creates urgency or directs viewers to scan a QR code. The FBI reports that older Americans continue to suffer the highest total losses from online fraud, with people aged 60 and older reporting approximately $7.7 billion in losses in 2025.