The A.I. Scam We Almost Fell For—More Than Once!

You may have already seen them in your social media feeds. The videos will often include someone crying, to pull at your heartstrings and illicit sympathy. The story is typically a variation of this script: The crying person has been industriously hand-making an object. Something creative. Maybe a belt or a piece of jewelry or something for the home. You’ll see them struggling with their project, busy in their workshop or studio, working diligently. But they’re upset, heartbroken, because despite their hard work and ingenuity, it’s just so difficult to find support for their art, their craft.

The creator might even be a child, and their mother is the one crying because she doesn’t want her child to be disappointed by a cruel world that won’t appreciate children’s crafts. They’ll beg you to stop scrolling and watch for a few seconds.

But here’s the scam: