We continue our series on crypto scams and modern financial threats. Last time, we discussed pig butchering. It is a ruthless method in which the scammer emotionally “guts” their victim and robs them of their savings. Today, we’ll look at something that is similarly manipulative. It’s deepfake fraud and AI scams. These things are everywhere today. Almost anyone with access to the right tools can create realistic videos or voices using artificial intelligence. And it’s often not easy to tell what’s real and what’s fake.
Article content:
- AI scams are a new trend – Where is this all heading?
- Focus on Europe – We are in the midst of a hybrid AI war
- Proof that we have to reckon with this and learn how to protect ourselves.
- Who falls for AI scams? And how can you protect yourself from them?
- Let's look at it from the other side – Let's make money on AI detection
- A business that can make money while protecting Europe?
- What can we take away from all this? And where does the future of protection against AI scams lie?
AI scams are a new trend – Where is this all heading?
The whole world is now watching the explosive growth of these scams. According to Elliptic, their number has increased by 3,000% year-on-year. These are numbers that really pack a punch. Most often, videos appear featuring celebrities, politicians, or well-known investors who allegedly recommend various cryptocurrencies and investment projects. But these people have nothing to do with it. Both the video and the voice are created purely by AI.
Focus on Europe – We are in the midst of a hybrid AI war
Europe is no exception. Germany, France, Italy – similar cases are popping up everywhere. It’s like a plague. Well-known personalities are being exploited to promote fake investments. It is reported that deepfake scams account for 6.5% of all scams and have grown by more than 2,000% since 2022. And those are really terrible numbers. And it’s
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Proof that we have to reckon with this and learn how to protect ourselves.
The Czech Republic is in a similar situation. In March 2025, a video appeared on social media in which Senator Pavel Fischer recommended investing in cryptocurrency. The video was fake. In July, there was another video with former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The police and cyber experts confirmed that this was also a deepfake. These examples show how easy it is to exploit a public figure and how quickly scams spread.
Who falls for AI scams? And how can you protect yourself from them?
Who usually falls for these scams? Statistics show that people who trust familiar faces, are looking for quick profits, and have no experience with online security are the most vulnerable. All it takes is a video featuring a popular person, and people lose their critical perspective. Deepfakes are so well done that it’s hard to tell the difference between a real and a fake voice or image.
Verifying sources is key. When you see a video featuring a celebrity, check their official account or website. Don’t rely on messages that seem too good to be true. Real advisors won’t contact you unsolicited. Never provide personal information or access to accounts if you are unsure of the authenticity of the material. And if you do encounter a scam, contact the police and your financial services provider immediately. The sooner, the better.
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Let’s look at it from the other side – Let’s make money on AI detection
The growing risk of deepfake fraud also brings opportunities. Technologies that can detect AI fraud are becoming in demand. This is an area for investment. Companies and ETFs focused on cybersecurity and AI detection are growing as demand for them explodes.
If you want to profit from projects that deal with AI detection, we have three main ETFs for you. The first is the Amplify Cybersecurity ETF (HACK). It targets companies that deal with cybersecurity. They also develop technologies for detecting AI fraud. If you are interested in supporting this industry, it looks quite promising. In 2025, HACK reported a year-on-year return of 21.62%, and other values are also favorable.
The second candidate is the First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR). This trust invests in companies involved in cybersecurity. They also offer tools for detecting AI threats. In 2025, this trust achieved a return of 23.06%.
And the last, third example is QRAFT ETF (QRFT). It uses artificial intelligence to select stocks that belong to companies focused on AI and cybersecurity. So it automatically favors those that protect us. In the last year alone, QRAFT had a return of 21%.
A business that can make money while protecting Europe?
Investing in these ETFs can be interesting, especially given the current times. Because of the dangerous times we live in. AI fakes are practically everywhere. This allows investors to profit from the growing demand for AI detection technologies. These technologies protect us from deepfake scams and other cyber threats. It is an opportunity to take advantage of the sector’s growth trend without having to invest directly in individual companies. At the same time, you will be supporting Europe’s defense against disinformation.
What can we take away from all this? And where does the future of protection against AI scams lie?
Finally, it is good to remember one thing: the more AI and deepfake detection technologies spread, the less room there is for scams. People and companies will no longer be so easily manipulated. As network algorithms, platforms, and identity verification software improve, AI scams will become less effective. This means that while we need to be cautious and vigilant now, the future looks a little safer. The technology that protects against fraud today may prevent a whole wave of fake videos and voice messages tomorrow. That’s why investing in these protective mechanisms makes sense—not only for the return on investment, but also for a safer digital world.
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