Ronaldo Crypto Deepfake Promotes Fake USWR Token

Scammers have used Cristiano Ronaldo's likeness to promote a fake cryptocurrency called USWR. Since early July, a manipulated video has been circulating online, appearing to show the football star encouraging people to invest in the token. In reality, Ronaldo never made such an endorsement.

The fake video was created using footage from a genuine interview Ronaldo gave during the FIFA World Cup 2026. In the original interview, he spoke only about football. Scammers kept the authentic visuals but used artificial intelligence to replace the audio with fabricated statements promoting the bogus USWR token. Viewers were then directed to a website advertising the fraudulent cryptocurrency.

The incident is the latest example of criminals exploiting the image of a well-known celebrity to promote fake investment schemes. Cristiano Ronaldo has long been one of the world's most impersonated athletes online, making such scams particularly effective at attracting attention.

The problem continues to grow alongside advances in generative AI. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, impersonation scams were the most frequently reported type of fraud in 2025. Victims reported losses totaling $3.5 billion, with an increasing share of these crimes involving AI-generated voices and videos. Nearly 30% of financial fraud cases reported in 2025 began on social media, where fake celebrity endorsements remain one of the most common tactics used by scammers.