YouTube is reportedly taking action against a cryptocurrency advertising scam featuring fake endorsements from Elon Musk and Daniel Craig.
The false advertisements were discovered by Business Insider and promised huge returns to investors who bought “Bitcoin Era” an automated trading app that claims to be backed by high-profile entrepreneurs including Richard Branson, Elon Musk and Bill Gates.
The advertisement purports to be from “Blitz News” promoting an article called “Bond franchise comes to an end.” However, when users click the ad, they are redirected to a post with the headline “SPECIAL REPORT: Brits are listening to 007’s Daniel Craig and they’re raking in millions from home.”
The article says readers can take advantage of a “wealth loophole” that can turn anyone into a millionaire in three to four months.
Crypto scammers have a rich history of targeting celebrities. Since 2017, schemers have created phony accounts designed to look like Elon Musk’s official profile in an attempt to trick users into giving away their digital assets. Last year, schemers promoted a similar “wealth loophole” featuring Elon Musk, Kate Winslet, Richard Branson and Bill Gates.
As for this new advertising scam, YouTube has declined to comment. However, a source at the company says the ad has been removed. So far, there’s no comment from Musk or Craig.