Criminals are using AI-driven deepfakes to impersonate Swift in fake giveaways, endorsements and promotional videos to capitalise on the trust fans have in her image. — AFP
Taylor Swift has been named the “most dangerous” celebrity online.
The claim was made by the cybersecurity company McAfee in its newly released 2025 Most Dangerous Celebrity: Deepfake Deception List.
The ranking identifies stars who are most likely to get their names and likenesses exploited by scammers to click fraud links when they see fake endorsements.
How Taylor Swift is being targeted by cybercriminals
The report shared how Swift’s global fame and massive online following help make her a prime target for cybercriminals.
In addition, the report cited how criminals are increasingly using AI-driven deepfakes to impersonate Swift in fake giveaways, endorsements and promotional videos to capitalise on the trust fans have in her image.
Other findings from the study showed that:
– Over 70% of Americans have encountered fake celebrity or influencer endorsements.
– Nearly 40% have reported they clicked on a fake endorsement.
– About 10% reported losing money, with average losses of US$525 (RM2,186).
Other celebrities on the list include Scarlett Johansson, Jenna Ortega, Sydney Sweeney and Tom Cruise. In addition, YouTube influencer Pokimane topped the report’s first-ever “Influencer Deepfake Deception List.”
McAfee urges fans to verify sources before clicking links or sharing personal information when encountering celebrity-related content online. In addition, the company says awareness and scepticism are the best defences against increasingly complex scams. – cleveland.com/Tribune News Service
