Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has issued a public warning about a sophisticated AI-powered impersonation scam targeting users on the X platform. In a recent post, CZ revealed that scammers are using artificial intelligence to generate fake photos of him, attempting to deceive followers by posing as individuals "close to him."
The fraudulent operation centers around an X account with approximately 863,000 followers that uses a photograph of Zhao from a BNB Chain event he attended in Korea as its profile banner. The scammers have reportedly shared numerous AI-generated images designed to create the appearance of CZ posing with various people, fabricating personal connections to enhance their credibility.
Zhao provided specific indicators to help users identify these deepfake images. He emphasized that he would not wear blue or purple clothing, and noted that the resolution of people in the shared images appears inconsistent—a telltale sign commonly associated with AI-generated content. The Binance founder suggested the fraudulent images may have been derived from an authentic photograph of himself with Aster CEO Leonard.
In his warning, CZ urged the community to remain vigilant against such fraudulent attempts and advised users to exercise caution when encountering similar accounts. He added that the Binance team remains receptive to honest and constructive feedback while distancing the exchange from these malicious activities.
