Deepfake Crisis: CZ Warns of AI-Powered Crypto Zoom Call Hijackings—Is Your Wallet Next?

Cybercriminals are weaponizing AI deepfakes to infiltrate crypto meetings—and Binance's Changpeng Zhao just dropped a red alert.

### The New Attack Vector: Your Face

Fraudsters now clone executives' voices and faces in real-time, bypassing multi-factor authentication with chilling precision. No more phishing emails—just your CEO 'personally' asking for wallet access.

### Security Teams Scramble

Exchanges report a 300% spike in deepfake attempts since Q1, with attackers favoring Zoom's weaker encryption over Teams. (Because why upgrade security when you can chase metaverse trends?)

### CZ's Survival Tip

'Verify through three separate channels before transferring anything,' Zhao advises—while crypto VCs keep wiring millions to 'Elon Musk' on Signal.

The irony? Blockchain solves trust issues—unless humans blindly trust a pixelated 'colleague.' Time to reboot both your device and your skepticism.

TLDR

• Hackers are using AI-powered deepfakes in Zoom calls to impersonate trusted contacts and trick crypto executives.
• Victims are being asked to install fake software updates that allow hackers to gain access to sensitive accounts.
• Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has warned that deepfake attacks are becoming so advanced that video verification may soon be unreliable.
• Several crypto figures, including Mai Fujimoto and Mehdi Farooq, have already fallen victim to these scams.
• Security experts believe the Lazarus Group is behind the coordinated attacks targeting the cryptocurrency industry.

A surge in deepfake-based Zoom scams has triggered fresh warnings from major crypto figures, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). These AI-driven impersonations have allowed hackers to bypass visual verification during video calls and install malware. As incidents increase, industry leaders stress the urgency of recognizing and addressing this growing cybersecurity threat.

Misinformation and Malware Tactics Targeting Executives

Hackers impersonate acquaintances using realistic deepfakes during Zoom meetings and convince victims to install fake software updates. The attackers typically claim audio issues and recommend a download, which is actually a malware-laced link. Once installed, the malware compromises system access, exposing accounts and crypto wallets to immediate theft.

Japanese crypto personality Mai Fujimoto reported a similar breach after a Zoom meeting with a deepfake of her friend. The call appeared legitimate, but the shared LINK enabled hackers to seize her Telegram, X, and Metamask accounts. The attackers used social engineering tactics to manipulate trust and avoid early detection.

Former Animoca executive Mehdi Farooq experienced a nearly identical incident involving two deepfake impersonators. Following the update installation, six of his crypto wallets were emptied, causing substantial financial damage. The attacks consistently mimic personal connections to reduce suspicion and increase success.

Changpeng Zhao Flags Crypto Deepfake Threat

Changpeng Zhao publicly addressed the growing risk posed by AI-generated video impersonations in light of these coordinated attacks. He warned that video verification may no longer provide a reliable method for confirming identity in online communications. As deepfake quality improves, distinguishing real from fake becomes increasingly difficult for even experienced users.

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

His warning followed the exposure of several crypto founders to similar schemes, underscoring the scale and reach of the threat. Founders from Mon Protocol, Stably, and Manta Network also disclosed that they received suspicious Zoom invites. Though not all were compromised, the pattern suggests a targeted and organized campaign.

Security researchers believe these incidents align with techniques used by the North Korea-linked Lazarus Group. The group has previously orchestrated some of the most damaging cyberattacks on crypto platforms globally. Their methods now appear to include advanced AI tools for deception and infiltration.

A 2024 Bitget report stated that deepfake impersonations accounted for 40% of high-value fraud cases this year. Hackers reportedly used synthetic identities of officials and business leaders to build trust and gain access. The scale of the problem indicates a serious security gap affecting multiple sectors.