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When clicks turn into scams on Facebook ads

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When clicks turn into scams on Facebook ads

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Scam ads on Facebook have evolved beyond the days of misspelled headlines and sketchy product photos. 

Today, many are powered by artificial intelligence, fueled by deepfake technology and distributed at scale through Facebook’s own ad system. 

From fake crypto endorsements by celebrities to malware disguised as video game betas, the landscape of digital scams is smarter, faster and more dangerous than ever.

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Facebook login page displayed on a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

DON’T CLICK THAT LINK! HOW TO SPOT AND PREVENT PHISHING ATTACKS IN YOUR INBOX

How Facebook scam ads have evolved with AI and deepfakes

Scammers used to rely on low-effort clickbait, but that era is over. Now, sophisticated schemes are leveraging AI-generated content. Technology is being used to create convincing videos of celebrities endorsing fake products or services. These ads exploit the trust users place in public figures and the perceived legitimacy of Facebook’s advertising platform. These tools can mimic a person’s appearance and voice with alarming accuracy, making it challenging for users to discern real from fake. And these tools are no longer out of reach. Scammers use a mix of freely available AI generators and private networks to mass-produce scam campaigns that look more real than ever.

ONE CLICK COST A FATHER $4 MILLION IN BITCOIN TO VISHING SCAMMERS

Real examples of Facebook scam ads using celebrity deepfakes

On Reddit, users have posted screenshots of bizarre scam ads that made it through Facebook’s filters:

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One features an AI-generated video of Kelly Clarkson promoting a suspicious cash giveaway. There are reportedly over 20 accounts using variations of the name “Kelly Clarkson Live.” These ads ask users to comment “Christmas” to receive free money, then instruct them to contact a WhatsApp number to claim their prize, which is a common tactic used to harvest personal information or initiate payment scams.

AI CYBERSECURITY RISKS AND DEEPFAKE SCAMS ON THE RISE

Screenshots of bizarre Facebook scam ads (Reddit)

Another uses Billie Eilish’s face to endorse a knockoff shopping site. The design mimics standard e-commerce ads, making it easy to fall for, especially for fans or younger users.

Screenshots of Facebook scam ads (Reddit)

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How AI tools and deepfake tech power Facebook scam ads

These scams are not the work of lone fraudsters. They are coordinated efforts that mirror real digital marketing operations.

  • Deepfake software is used to create fake video footage of celebrities.
  • AI voice clones make fake endorsements sound eerily convincing.
  • Text generators churn out fake user reviews, comment threads and testimonials.
  • Scam kits with ad templates and deployment instructions circulate in private Telegram groups and Discord servers.

These operations are designed to appear legitimate. Landing pages mimic reputable news sites. Comment sections feature AI-written praise. Every element is optimized to build trust and get the click.

Who Facebook scam ads target and why you could be next

Scammers do not just blast out ads at random. They use Facebook’s ad targeting system to handpick the most vulnerable audiences.

  • Older users are often targeted with health scams or celebrity cash giveaways.
  • Men aged 25-45 are frequently shown crypto or investment ads featuring tech figures.
  • Fans of specific celebrities or shows may see fake endorsements tied to those interests.
  • Users who click on giveaways or contests are more likely to be targeted again, since Facebook tracks interaction history.

These groups are targeted because they are either perceived as trusting, impulsive or unfamiliar with how digital scams operate.

HOW TO ESCAPE FACEBOOK’S CREEPY AD TRACKING

Why Facebook scam ads keep getting past Meta’s moderation

Despite Meta’s claims of robust ad review, scam ads still make it through frequently and quickly. Here is why:

  • Most ads are approved by automated systems that cannot catch nuanced AI fakery.
  • Scammers use geographic targeting to show ads in regions less likely to report fraud or where enforcement is weak.
  • The ads often run for only a short time before disappearing, making them harder to catch.

Even with tools like facial recognition being tested to detect unauthorized celebrity use, these systems have not been widely implemented. Meanwhile, investigations by consumer advocacy groups and cybersecurity firms have found that a significant portion of crypto-related Facebook ads are fraudulent. With scammers paying for ad space, Meta has little financial incentive to aggressively remove them.

Common signs of Facebook scam ads: What to watch for

Scam ads can be surprisingly well-made, but common themes show up again and again. Watch for:

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  • Free game betas or giveaways, especially ones that require downloads.
  • Celebrity endorsements promoting crypto, weight-loss pills or supplements.
  • Mimicked news articles or fake media logos.
  • Urgent claims or miracle results, which are classic scam tactics.

If an ad prompts you to download a file, especially a .zip or .rar, it is almost certainly a trap.

Facebook app on home screen of a smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO SPOT THE RED FLAGS FOR THIS LATEST FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE SCAM

How to protect yourself from AI-powered Facebook scam ads

Here is how to stay safe and help others do the same:

1. Check the source: If it is an ad, approach it with extra skepticism. Look it up independently.

2. Do not download files from ads: Especially avoid compressed formats like .zip or .rar, which often contain malware.

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3. Verify endorsements: If a celebrity is promoting something, check their official social media or public statements.

4. Report suspicious ads: Even if you are not sure, reporting helps Meta identify fraudulent activity.

5. Talk to friends and family: Especially older adults, who may be more trusting of what they see on Facebook.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

6. Be wary of unsolicited messages or friend requests and install strong antivirus software: Scammers often use fake profiles to send scam ads or phishing links via Facebook Messenger or friend requests. Avoid clicking links from unknown contacts. Also, install strong antivirus software, which adds a layer of defense that can block malware from scam links. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

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7. Consider using a password manager: If your credentials are compromised, this minimizes the risk of attackers accessing other accounts. A password manager can securely store and generate complex passwords. It will help you create unique and difficult-to-crack passwords that a hacker could never guess. Second, it also keeps track of all your passwords in one place and fills passwords in for you when you’re logging into an account, so that you never have to remember them yourself. The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you are to reuse them for your accounts. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.

8. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA can prevent unauthorized logins even if your password is stolen.

9. Regularly update your software and apps: Keeping your operating system, browsers and Facebook app updated ensures you have the latest security patches that can block known vulnerabilities exploited by scammers.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Scam ads on Facebook are evolving fast, using AI-generated content, fake celebrity endorsements and deepfakes to trick users into clicking. What looks like a game beta or cash giveaway can actually lead to malware, phishing scams or fake crypto schemes. Facebook’s ad review system isn’t catching these in time, which means users need to stay alert. Be skeptical of ads, avoid downloading files, install trusted antivirus software and talk to family members who may be more vulnerable.

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Given how widespread and sophisticated scam ads have become on Facebook, do you think Meta should be held more accountable for protecting users, and if so, what actions should they take to better prevent these scams? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Technology

Here’s your first look at Kratos in Amazon’s God of War show

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Here’s your first look at Kratos in Amazon’s God of War show

Amazon has slowly been teasing out casting details for its live-action adaptation of God of War, and now we have our first look at the show. It’s a single image but a notable one showing protagonist Kratos and his son Atreus. The characters are played by Ryan Hurst and Callum Vinson, respectively, and they look relatively close to their video game counterparts.

There aren’t a lot of other details about the show just yet, but this is Amazon’s official description:

The God of War series storyline follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.

That sounds a lot like the recent soft reboot of the franchise, which started with 2018’s God of War and continued through Ragnarök in 2022. For the Amazon series, Ronald D. Moore, best-known for his work on For All Mankind and Battlestar Galactica, will serve as showrunner. The rest of the cast includes: Mandy Patinkin (Odin), Ed Skrein (Baldur), Max Parker (Heimdall), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Thor), Teresa Palmer (Sif), Alastair Duncan (Mimir), Jeff Gulka (Sindri), and Danny Woodburn (Brok).

While production is underway on the God of War series, there’s no word on when it might start streaming.

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300,000 Chrome users hit by fake AI extensions

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300,000 Chrome users hit by fake AI extensions

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Your web browser may feel like a safe place, especially when you install helpful tools that promise to make your life easier. But security researchers have uncovered a dangerous campaign in which more than 300,000 people installed Chrome extensions pretending to be artificial intelligence (AI) assistants. Instead of helping, these fake tools secretly collect sensitive information like your emails, passwords and browsing activity.

They used familiar names like ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Assistant. If you use Chrome and have installed any AI-related extension, your personal information may already be exposed. Even worse, some of these malicious extensions are still available today, putting more people at risk without their knowing.

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More than 300,000 Chrome users installed fake AI extensions that secretly harvested sensitive data. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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What you need to know about fake AI extensions

Security researchers at browser security company LayerX discovered a large campaign involving 30 malicious Chrome extensions disguised as AI-powered assistants (via BleepingComputer). Together, these extensions were installed more than 300,000 times by unsuspecting users.

Some of the most popular extensions included names like AI Sidebar with 70,000 users, AI Assistant with 60,000 users, ChatGPT Translate with 30,000 users, and Google Gemini with 10,000 users. Another extension called Gemini AI Sidebar had 80,000 users before it was removed.

These extensions were distributed through the official Chrome Web Store, which made them appear legitimate and trustworthy. Even more concerning, researchers found that many of these extensions were connected to the same malicious server, showing they were part of a coordinated effort.

While some extensions have since been removed, others remain available. This means new users could still unknowingly install them and expose their personal data. Here’s the list of the affected extensions:

  • AI Assistant
  • Llama
  • Gemini AI Sidebar
  • AI Sidebar
  • ChatGPT Sidebar
  • Grok
  • Asking ChatGPT
  • ChatGBT
  • Chat Bot GPT
  • Grok Chatbot
  • Chat With Gemini
  • XAI
  • Google Gemini
  • Ask Gemini
  • AI Letter Generator
  • AI Message Generator
  • AI Translator
  • AI For Translation
  • AI Cover Letter Generator
  • AI Image Generator ChatGPT
  • Ai Wallpaper Generator
  • Ai Picture Generator
  • DeepSeek Download
  • AI Email Writer
  • Email Generator AI
  • DeepSeek Chat
  • ChatGPT Picture Generator
  • ChatGPT Translate
  • AI GPT
  • ChatGPT Translation
  • ChatGPT for Gmail

FAKE AI CHAT RESULTS ARE SPREADING DANGEROUS MAC MALWARE

These malicious tools were listed in the official Chrome Web Store, making them appear legitimate and trustworthy. (LayerX)

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How the fake AI Chrome extension attack works

These fake extensions pretend to offer helpful AI features, such as translating text, summarizing emails, or acting as an AI assistant. But behind the scenes, they quietly monitor what you are doing online.

Once installed, the extension gains permission to view and interact with the websites you visit. This allows it to read the contents of web pages, including login screens where you enter your username and password.

In some cases, the extensions specifically targeted Gmail. They could read your email messages directly from your browser, including emails you received and even drafts you were still writing. This means attackers could access private conversations, financial information and sensitive personal details.

The extensions then sent this information to servers controlled by the attackers. Because they loaded content remotely, the attackers could change their behavior at any time without needing to update the extension.

Some versions could also activate voice features through your browser. This could potentially capture spoken conversations near your device and send transcripts back to the attackers.

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If you installed one of these extensions, attackers may already have access to extremely sensitive information. This includes your email content, login credentials, browsing habits and possibly even voice recordings.

We reached out to Google for comment, and a spokesperson told CyberGuy that the company “can confirm that the extensions from this report have all been removed from the Google Web Store.”

BROWSER EXTENSION MALWARE INFECTED 8.8M USERS IN DARKSPECTRE ATTACK

Once installed, the extensions could read emails, capture passwords, monitor browsing activity and send the data to attacker-controlled servers. (Bildquelle/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

7 ways you can protect yourself from malicious Chrome extensions

If you have ever installed an AI-related Chrome extension, taking a few simple precautions now can help protect your accounts and prevent further damage.

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1) Remove any suspicious or unused browser extensions

On a Windows PC or Mac, open Chrome and type chrome://extensions into the address bar. Review every extension listed. If you see anything unfamiliar, especially AI assistants you don’t remember installing, click “Remove” immediately. Malicious extensions depend on going unnoticed. Removing them stops further data collection and cuts off the attacker’s access to your information.

2) Change your passwords

If you installed any suspicious extension, assume your passwords may be compromised. Start by changing your email password first, since email controls access to most other accounts. Then update passwords for banking, shopping and social media accounts. This prevents attackers from using stolen credentials to break into your accounts.

3) Use a password manager to create and protect strong passwords

A password manager generates unique, complex passwords for each account and stores them securely. This prevents attackers from accessing multiple accounts if one password is stolen. Password managers also alert you if your login credentials appear in known data breaches, helping you respond quickly and protect your identity. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

4) Install strong antivirus software and keep it active

Good antivirus software can detect malicious browser extensions, spyware, and other hidden threats. It scans your system for suspicious activity and blocks harmful programs before they can steal your information. This adds an important layer of protection that works continuously in the background to keep your device safe. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

5) Use an identity theft protection service

Identity theft protection services monitor your personal data, including email addresses, financial accounts, and Social Security numbers, for signs of misuse. If criminals try to open accounts or commit fraud using your information, you receive alerts quickly. Early detection allows you to act fast and limit financial and personal damage. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

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6) Keep your browser and computer fully updated

Software updates fix security vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Enable automatic updates for Chrome and your operating system so you always have the latest protections. These updates strengthen your defenses against malicious extensions and prevent attackers from taking advantage of known weaknesses.

7) Use a personal data removal service

Personal data removal services scan data broker websites that collect and sell your personal information. They help remove your data from these sites, reducing what attackers can find and use against you. Less exposed information means fewer opportunities for criminals to target you with scams, identity theft or phishing attacks.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaway

Even tools designed to make your life easier can become tools for cybercriminals. Malicious extensions often hide behind trusted names and convincing features, making them difficult to spot. You can significantly reduce your risk by reviewing your browser extensions regularly, removing anything suspicious and using protective tools like password managers and strong antivirus software.

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Have you checked your browser extensions recently? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Anthropic refuses Pentagon’s new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance

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Anthropic refuses Pentagon’s new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance

Less than 24 hours before the deadline in an ultimatum issued by the Pentagon, Anthropic has refused the Department of Defense’s demands for unrestricted access to its AI.

It’s the culmination of a dramatic exchange of public statements, social media posts, and behind-the-scenes negotiations, coming down to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desire to renegotiate all AI labs’ current contracts with the military. But Anthropic, so far, has refused to back down from its two current red lines: no mass surveillance of Americans, and no lethal autonomous weapons (or weapons with license to kill targets with no human oversight whatsoever). OpenAI and xAI had reportedly already agreed to the new terms, while Anthropic’s refusal had led to CEO Dario Amodei being summoned to the White House this week for a meeting with Hegseth himself, in which the Secretary reportedly issued an ultimatum to the CEO to back down by the end of business day on Friday or else.

In a statement late Thursday, Amodei wrote, “I believe deeply in the existential importance of using AI to defend the United States and other democracies, and to defeat our autocratic adversaries. Anthropic has therefore worked proactively to deploy our models to the Department of War and the intelligence community.”

He added that the company has “never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner” but that in a “narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values” — going on to specifically mention mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. (Amodei mentioned that “partial autonomous weapons … are vital to the defense of democracy” and that fully autonomous weapons may eventually “prove critical for our national defense,” but that “today, frontier AI systems are simply not reliable enough to power fully autonomous weapons.” He did not rule out Anthropic acquiescing to the military’s use of fully autonomous weapons in the future but mentioned that they were not ready now.)

The Pentagon had already reportedly asked major defense contractors to assess their dependence on Anthropic’s Claude, which could be seen as the first step to designating the company a “supply chain risk” – a public threat that the Pentagon had made recently (and a classification usually reserved for threats to national security). The Pentagon was also reportedly considering invoking the Defense Production Act to make Anthropic comply.

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Amodei wrote in his statement that the Pentagon’s “threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.” He also wrote that “should the Department choose to offboard Anthropic, we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations, or other critical missions. Our models will be available on the expansive terms we have proposed for as long as required.”

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