Reddit users have identified a deepfake video featuring a fabricated version of Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. In this video, he appears to ask XRP holders to send their coins to a specific address, promising to return twice the amount. This tactic is a well-known scam method.
A Reddit thread revealed that this deceptive advertisement was spotted on YouTube as early as November 25 and December 3. Several Reddit users also reported encountering similar ads on the platform and flagged them. The video showcased a computer-generated imitation of Garlinghouse, enticing viewers to join an XRP event by sending tokens to a “specified address,” with the false promise of receiving double the amount in a bogus giveaway.
Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, alerted investors about the increase in XRP-related scams following a favorable court decision for Ripple in its legal dispute with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 14. Schwartz emphasized that there are no legitimate airdrops, giveaways, or special offers linked to the court ruling. Despite obvious indications that the video ad was a scam, one Redditor reported that Google declined to remove the advertisement. This user shared a screenshot of a response from Google’s Trust and Safety Team, which stated that the ad did not breach their policies and requested further information within six months.
Additionally, Redditors shared a link to the unlisted deepfake ad on YouTube, which had amassed over 17,000 views despite not being publicly searchable. Reddit community members advised against interacting with the video’s QR code to prevent financial losses.
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