Chinese authorities have issued a warning about a group of scammers who falsely presented themselves as developers of a blockchain project called DeepSeek. These fraudsters used deceptive tactics to attract investors, claiming that the platform was built using DeepSeek technology and was a secure and efficient investment opportunity. The scammers also distributed fake DeepSeek applications that contained malware, compromising users' data and security. DeepSeek gained attention in January when its AI model reportedly matched OpenAI's performance on certain benchmarks but at a lower cost. The buzz surrounding DeepSeek caught the attention of many investors, and fraudsters capitalized on the excitement by launching fake crowdfunding campaigns. These scammers disappeared with investors' funds after promising returns of over 10,000 yuan ($1,373) per month from their involvement with DeepSeek. In one scam, fraudsters sold a tutorial for 39.9 yuan ($5.5), claiming it would teach users how to write viral content. However, only four of the 104 pages in the tutorial contained relevant material, with the rest being publicly available information. In another scam, the fraudsters set up fake "monetization training camps," charging between 299 yuan ($41) and 399 yuan ($55) for courses that turned out to be entirely worthless. To add to the deception, the scammers created fake communities that appeared to be official DeepSeek groups. These communities promoted "internal test qualifications" and "advanced courses" before introducing DeepSeekCoin, a fake cryptocurrency they claimed had strong technical backing. Investors were lured in, only to lose all their funds. In response to the fraud, DeepSeek distanced itself from any crypto tokens associated with its name. The project clarified that it had never issued any cryptocurrency and emphasized that its only official social media presence was on Twitter. They further stated that they would not contact anyone through other accounts. Chinese authorities have also raised alarms about fake DeepSeek apps that are being used to spread malware. These apps, disguised under names like DeepSeek.apk, DeepSeek.exe, DeepSeek.msi, and DeepSeek.dmg, pose significant security risks. Once installed, the apps prompt users to download updates that contain harmful code, which then steals sensitive information like contacts and messages. In some cases, the malware prevents users from uninstalling the app, making it even harder to remove. Authorities warn that as AI applications such as DeepSeek continue to gain popularity, the likelihood of similar scams will rise. They advise users to be cautious when engaging with AI-related investment opportunities and to always verify sources before downloading apps. As the AI sector continues to expand, it is expected that scams involving Trojan viruses and impersonation of reputable platforms like DeepSeek will increase. To protect themselves from scams and malware, users are urged to carefully scrutinize the sources of investment opportunities and applications. This increased awareness will help prevent further losses and safeguard personal data in an environment where AI technology is rapidly advancing.
