AI-generated videos featuring celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Rihanna are being used to promote scam services on TikTok, according to research from Copyleaks, an authentication company.

In a recent blog, the company said the videos typically place digitally manipulated versions of celebrities in familiar media settings, including interviews, red carpet appearances and podcast-style formats. In some cases, real footage appears to have been altered using AI.

The content is often used to advertise so-called rewards schemes, which claim users can earn money by watching TikTok videos and providing feedback. Although some clips display TikTok branding, users are reportedly redirected to external websites that request personal information.

In one example cited by Copyleaks, an AI-generated version of Taylor Swift encourages users to sign up for a service described as “TikTok Pay”. In another, a fabricated version of Rihanna is shown promoting a similar scheme, claiming users can earn money by engaging with content.

Meta’s platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, are also affected by large volumes of scam advertising, while the company’s oversight board has previously acknowledged challenges related to deepfakes. 

Taylor Swift has recently filed new trademark applications in the U.S. linked to recordings of her voice, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to reduce the risk of AI-generated impersonation.