Trump and Musk video scams desperate investors into buying fake coins

In recent months, a deceptive scheme involving AI-generated videos of prominent figures such as Donald Trump and Elon Musk has surfaced, targeting supporters in the United States. These videos falsely claimed that purchasing 'Golden Eagles' would lead buyers to become millionaires, with encouragement to trade them in at places like Bank of America or Tesla for significant profits. Marine veteran Wesley Skelton, from Pittsburg, California, fell victim to this scam, spending $2,500 to buy 324 of these coins. The videos alluringly stated that individuals could invest in high-profile companies like Tesla or SpaceX using the coins, further entrenching the viewers' beliefs in the legitimacy of their investments. Skeptical inquiries into the actual value of the coins led to disappointing revelations; local coin shop owner Seth Chandler assessed the coins and determined they were not made of real gold or silver, indicating a loss for those duped by the lofty promises. Despite attempts to reclaim his funds, Skelton mentioned that while he received a partial refund of $600 through his credit card, the initial seller has been unresponsive to all further refund requests. This incident is part of a broader pattern where supporters of figures like Trump have previously been manipulated into believing they would reap financial rewards through dubious investments. During Trump’s first term, for example, supporters were convinced they could profit significantly from investing in the Iraqi Dinar. The unfolding realization of these scams highlights the vulnerability of individuals influenced by charismatic public figures, as many are willing to put substantial amounts of money at risk based on questionable claims. As social media platforms continue to be proliferated with misleading content, the potential for financial ruin among gullible supporters remains a pressing issue within such contexts.