Source: REUTERS/BENOIT TESSIER
[Saba Sports News] The news of Lewis Hamilton’s
anticipated move from Mercedes to Ferrari has dominated sports discussions this
week. As a highly popular driver, Hamilton has achieved numerous F1 world
championships, earning global recognition. Unfortunately, his popularity has
also attracted the attention of scammers seeking to exploit unsuspecting fans.
In a recent incident in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a scammer capitalized on Hamilton’s
identity and attempted to solicit money from fans. A housewife, who followed a
fake Hamilton social media account, received an audio message purportedly from
Hamilton himself, requesting $1,500 for his fan club membership application.
Fortunately, the housewife recognized the scam in time and avoided falling
victim to it. According to Sao Paulo newspaper Metropoles, the scammer employed
artificial intelligence to synthesize Hamilton’s image and voice, exploiting
fans’ eagerness to interact with the racing icon. With the advancement of
artificial intelligence, an increasing number of scammers are impersonating
celebrities to deceive fans and extort money. It is crucial for savvy consumers
to understand that these celebrities lead busy lives and do not have the time
to engage personally with every fan.