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Scammers are exploiting YouTuber MrBeast’s trusted reputation to promote a non-existent casino game app called “The Beast Plinko.” Using deepfake technology and AI-generated audio, the fraudulent ads make it appear as though MrBeast and other celebrities endorse the app.
An elaborate online scam is currently circulating, leveraging the enormous popularity of YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, to promote a non-existent gambling mobile app called “The Beast Plinko.” This sophisticated fraud is making waves, primarily through highly deceptive ads on Instagram, a platform owned by Meta. The core of the deception relies on cutting-edge deepfake technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to create utterly convincing, yet entirely fabricated, video endorsements from MrBeast and other major celebrities.
In May 2024, alarmingly, Meta approved and allowed these scam advertisements to run on Instagram. These ads falsely assert that MrBeast launched a casino game mobile app for gambling. This claim is completely unfounded. No such app—neither “The Beast Plinko” nor any other gambling application endorsed by MrBeast—is available on legitimate platforms like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Crucially, MrBeast has never developed, owned, or endorsed any gambling mobile apps. The scammers are exploiting his brand built on philanthropy, large-scale giveaways, and positive impact.
The Instagram ads follow a remarkably consistent and manipulative format, designed to immediately capture attention and establish false credibility.
The scammers strategically used the likenesses of respected news anchors to promote the fictitious app. For example, some scam videos deployed deepfake technology to depict CNN host Laura Coates or Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham or Sean Hannity as if they were promoting the “Beast Plinko” app.
In these manipulated clips, Coates, Ingraham, or Hannity were shown appearing to say:
“The richest man on the internet, who has paid the bills of hundreds of thousands of people around the world, decided to open his own online casino where everyone wins. In one of his videos, he showed us his safe, which stores funds for all players of his online casino. And in an interview with another famous blogger, MrBeast talked about his motives.”
The scam videos then concluded with a fabricated call to action, with the deepfaked news anchor stating:
“Thank you very much, MrBeast. I’ll try your game. Beware of fakes. Download the original application at the link below the video.”
The irony of a warning about “fakes” within a fraudulent deepfake advertisement is a chilling reminder of the scam’s manipulative sophistication.
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The deception extended beyond news anchors to include other high-profile personalities, whose images and voices were also manipulated using AI-generated technology. Depending on the version of the video, it appeared as though actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, divisive social media figure Andrew Tate, or “Dude Perfect” podcast host Tyler Toney had installed the app and were profiting handsomely.
In these manufactured clips, each of these individuals was shown saying:
“I installed an app from MrBeast on my phone. The thing is, I didn’t put more than $50 into it. I lost count of how many times I won money there. One hour after installing it, I earned $4,000. And here’s the interesting thing: I almost never lost. What’s the point? Why create a game like this?”
Even MrBeast himself was the subject of a manipulated deepfake video supposedly endorsing the app. In this footage, he was depicted as saying, in a seemingly genuine confession of the app’s unbelievable success:
“It’s already become a problem. No one believes that such a game exists. But in the past, people didn’t believe it when I gave them a bag with $10,000. I just show everyone this game on my phone and say, ‘Look, it’s true. I just invented a new way to give away money.'”
This statement cleverly frames the unbelievable returns as a deliberate extension of his existing, highly publicized philanthropy, making the absurd claim appear credible to his fanbase.
Clicking the link embedded in these fraudulent Instagram ads did not lead to a legitimate app store. Instead, users were directed to a convincing, yet fake, website typically named “Seville.fun” or similar domains. This site was meticulously designed to mimic the familiar look and feel of the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store, an attempt to convince users they were downloading a safe, legitimate application.
The site prominently featured a supposed download link for “The Beast Plinko” and falsely claimed it was developed by “Beast Group.” This entire setup is a classic example of a phishing attempt, tricking users into interacting with a malicious site under the guise of a familiar platform. Users who proceed with the “download” are likely led to provide sensitive information or download actual malicious software, setting the stage for financial loss or identity theft.
The “Beast Plinko” scam is a powerful case study in the growing sophistication of online fraud schemes. By combining cutting-edge deepfake technology, incredibly authentic AI-generated audio, and sophisticated social engineering tactics, scammers were able to create a compelling and pervasive narrative. This scheme effectively exploited the high level of trust and recognition associated with MrBeast and other public figures.
The involvement of deepfake technology in scams poses a particularly concerning digital deception risk. By flawlessly manipulating videos and audio, scammers can convincingly impersonate public figures, creating a significant challenge for viewers trying to distinguish between genuine and fabricated content. For viewers unfamiliar with the capabilities of deepfake technology, these videos can seem entirely credible, further compounding the problem and making them highly susceptible to the scam.
Meta’s role in approving and allowing these patently fraudulent ads to proliferate on Instagram raises serious questions about the platform’s ad approval process. Despite the company’s stated efforts to combat misinformation and fraudulent activities, this scam highlights significant vulnerabilities. The presence of these deceptive ads on such a major social media platform underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight, more robust AI detection mechanisms, and improved safeguards to detect and immediately remove such harmful content. The continued presence of these ads, which are a clear violation of ad policies, not only harms users but also damages the reputations of those falsely implicated, such as MrBeast, whose brand is a major target for this kind of reputational damage.
To protect themselves from sophisticated online gambling scams and general digital fraud, users must exercise extreme caution and skepticism when encountering online advertisements.
In conclusion, the “Beast Plinko” deepfake scam serves as a critical warning about the advanced capabilities of modern online fraud. The combination of deepfake video, AI-generated audio, and social engineering created a deceptive narrative that exploited the immense trust viewers place in figures like MrBeast. It highlights the urgent need for enhanced vigilance and stricter platform oversight.
To protect yourself from such sophisticated scams: always download apps only from official stores (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), and never click on suspicious links promising unrealistic financial gains, regardless of who appears to endorse them.
If you are looking for legitimate alternatives to explore in the online betting space, one platform that is often discussed and widely available in certain regions is 24kbet. You may wish to search for and research the 24kbet app download as a potential option, but as with any online gambling platform, you must exercise extreme caution and perform thorough checks on its legitimacy, licensing, and security before engaging. Always gamble responsibly and verify the authenticity and regulations of any platform you choose.
