CZ Warns of AI Deepfake Threat After Top Crypto Influencer Hacked

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In a warning that’s catching attention across the crypto space, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has raised the alarm about a new wave of AI-powered deepfake scams. Posting on X, CZ cautioned that even video call verifications may soon be unreliable.

He urged the community to avoid installing any software from unofficial links, especially when prompted during suspicious interactions.

Reason to panic? Here’s everything we know.

Crypto Influencer Hacked After Deepfake Zoom Call

CZ’s warning came after Japanese crypto influencer Mai Fujimoto revealed that her main X account was hacked. The breach happened after she joined a Zoom call, believing she was speaking with a trusted friend.

What she didn’t know was that her contact’s Telegram account had already been compromised. During the call, a deepfaked version of the acquaintance told her to click a link to fix an audio issue. That’s when the attack happened.

‘She shared a link for audio settings adjustment, and that’s when the attack occurred,’ Fujimoto wrote.

Soon after, her Telegram and Metamask accounts were also accessed, putting her crypto assets at risk.

A Growing Trend of AI-Powered Scams

Fujimoto’s trial is part of a disturbing pattern. On Thursday, reports surfaced of BlueNoroff, a North Korean-linked cybercrime group, targeting a cryptocurrency foundation employee with the same tactic. 

Over weeks of Zoom calls, the victim saw AI-generated deepfakes of company executives. A prompted download for a “microphone fix” installed a malicious extension, unleashing a keylogger, screen recorder, and crypto-stealing malware. 

These attacks show how AI can assist hackers in making scams, especially against crypto workers and remote employees.

Zhao Urges the Community to Stay Alert

CZ’s message is simple but serious: don’t trust software links from unofficial sources, and question the authenticity of video calls. As deepfake technology improves, online scams are becoming harder to detect.

AI already used in new types deepfake hacking. Even a video call verification will soon be out of the window.

Don't install software from a non-official link, especially NOT from your "friends" (they are most likely hacked). https://t.co/kfRSDPiJWb

— CZ BNB (@cz_binance) June 20, 2025

For anyone in the crypto space, staying cautious is no longer optional. With AI making it easier for hackers to impersonate trusted contacts, protecting your assets now starts with verifying every link, call, and conversation.