China Issues Warning About DeepSeek Scams and Malware Risks
Chinese authorities have issued a warning about scammers posing as developers of the blockchain project DeepSeek. Key points include:
- Scammers attracted investors by falsely claiming that a platform was built using DeepSeek technology.
- Fake DeepSeek applications contained malware, compromising user data and security.
- Fraudsters launched fake crowdfunding campaigns, disappearing with funds after promising returns over 10,000 yuan ($1,373) per month.
- One scam involved selling a tutorial for 39.9 yuan ($5.5), with only a small portion containing relevant material.
- Fake "monetization training camps" charged between 299 yuan ($41) and 399 yuan ($55) for worthless courses.
- Scammers created fake communities promoting non-existent "internal test qualifications" and introduced DeepSeekCoin, a fraudulent cryptocurrency.
- DeepSeek distanced itself from any associated crypto tokens and clarified its official social media presence.
- Fake DeepSeek apps spread malware, which could steal sensitive information and be difficult to uninstall.
- Authorities expect an increase in scams as AI applications gain popularity, advising caution when engaging with related investments.
- Users are urged to verify sources before downloading apps to protect against scams and malware.