AI Deepfakes Used to Impersonate OnlyFans Creators in…

Scammers are leveraging AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate OnlyFans creators, tricking followers into sending money before disappearing. This fraudulent activity harms both fans, who lose their funds, and creators, who face reputational damage and safety risks from disgruntled individuals.

What happened

The scheme utilizes a multi-platform approach to deceive victims. Criminals use TikTok for discovery, often creating fake accounts using material lifted from real creators. These accounts feature synthetic voices and deepfake imagery, such as videos created by animating still photos. Attackers then move potential victims to Snapchat for direct message conversations to build familiarity and engagement.

Once trust is established, scammers request payment through Cash App. This platform is chosen specifically because it is designed for informal peer-to-peer transfers, meaning transactions clear instantly and are essentially irreversible. By the time a fan realizes they have been scammed, the attacker has usually blocked them and vanished.

Real creators, including Jessieanna Campbell and Elaina St. James, have reported the fallout of these scams. Campbell has received messages from angry fans accusing her of theft, while others have reported fans showing up at their homes, leading to significant safety concerns. Researchers note that spotting these deepfakes is possible by looking for artifacts like distorted teeth or frozen eyebrows, particularly in videos made from limited source material. Despite the existence of legislation like the Take It Down Act or the EU’s AI Act, enforcement remains difficult as the stolen content often sits on overseas hosts. Experts advise that any request to move to a third-party platform for exclusive content or a demand for payment via Cash App should be treated as a major red flag.