While the rapidly increasing use of the internet and artificial intelligence (AI) has made life easier for people, it has also provided new opportunities for cybercriminals. Recently, fraudsters have launched a new scam, abusing Google’s name and its AI platform, Gemini. This scam involves creating a fake AI chatbot and tricking people into investing in a fraudulent cryptocurrency called “Google Coin.”
What is ‘Google Coin’ and what is the truth?
First, it’s important to understand that Google hasn’t launched an official cryptocurrency yet, nor is its Gemini AI being used to promote any crypto investments. This means that this token, called ‘Google Coin,’ isn’t real at all.
The fraudsters created a fake website with a Google-like design, including the official logo, navigation, and a presale page. The website included a chatbot named “Gemini, your AI assistant for the Google Coin platform” to fool users into believing it was an official and trustworthy service. This chatbot answered user questions, provided investment predictions, and encouraged users to invest.
How does the fake Gemini AI chatbot work?
This fake AI chatbot converses with users, telling them that ‘Google Coin’ is a revolutionary investment opportunity. The chatbot claims that investing in the pre-sale phase can yield substantial profits.
For example, in some cases, it has been said that an investment of around $400 can multiply in no time.
The biggest advantage of an AI chatbot is that it’s available 24/7 and provides the same, confident answers to every user. This makes people feel like they’re speaking to a professional and trustworthy platform.
Social engineering and psychological tricks
This scam is not just technical, but also psychological. Scammers exploit the “get rich quick” sentiment. When a big brand like Google’s name is mentioned, people’s trust automatically increases.
Chatbots create temptation by showing calculations of the “potential future value” of investments. However, real investment platforms never guarantee guaranteed profits. If a platform claims excessive and guaranteed profits, this is a major warning sign.
How is the money stolen?
The website asks users to send their cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, to a provided wallet address. Blockchain transactions are irreversible, meaning once money is sent, it’s nearly impossible to get it back.
After investing, users don’t receive any actual tokens or withdrawal options. In some cases, the website even disappears after a while.
How to avoid such scams?
1. Check the official announcement on the company’s official website and verify with reliable news sources before making any major investments.
2. Beware of guaranteed profits. No genuine investment platform offers guaranteed returns.
3. Check the website URL carefully. Fake websites often use similar domain names.
4. Read online reviews. Searching for terms like “scam” or “review” can often reveal the truth.
5. Don’t share personal information. Avoid giving out your personal or financial information on any unknown platform.
Conclusion: Vigilance is the greatest protection
While AI technology has opened up new possibilities, criminals have also begun to exploit it. The sale of fake cryptocurrencies like ‘Google Coin’ through fake Gemini shows how advanced cyber fraud has become.
Therefore, it is crucial to be vigilant when entering the digital world. Verifying the authenticity of any investment opportunity before accepting it and relying on facts rather than emotions can protect you from such scams.
