If a chatbot claiming to be Gemini AI begins to advertise a brand new Google cryptocurrency, it’s greatest to disregard it.
Safety researchers have uncovered a pretend “Google Coin” presale web site powered by a counterfeit Gemini AI chatbot. The bot delivers detailed revenue projections, solutions funding questions in actual time, and pressures customers to ship irreversible cryptocurrency funds.
Consultants say the rip-off displays a rising development in on-line fraud, the place criminals use AI instruments to influence, mimic trusted manufacturers, and interact tons of of potential victims directly with convincing gross sales scripts.
Pretend Gemini AI chatbot fronts bogus presale
Cybersecurity agency Malwarebytes reported that it uncovered a reside “Google Coin” presale web site that includes a chatbot that launched itself as “Gemini — your AI assistant for the Google Coin platform.”
The bot used Gemini-style branding, together with a sparkle icon and inexperienced “On-line” standing indicator, to seem official. When requested about potential returns, it claimed {that a} $395 funding at $3.95 per token can be value $2,755 at itemizing, representing “roughly 7x” progress.
Malwarebytes emphasised that “Google doesn’t have a cryptocurrency.” Nonetheless, the chatbot described itself as “the official helper for the Google Coin platform” and inspired guests to proceed with purchases.
In accordance with the publication, the bot refused to offer verifiable firm data reminiscent of registered entity, regulator, or license quantity. The bot additionally redirected harder inquiries to an unnamed “supervisor,” suggesting a human operator would possibly step in to shut bigger funds.
ConsumerAffairs famous that the chatbot functioned as a “full-fledged gross sales consultant,” delivering particular monetary projections and even inviting customers to ask tips on how to take part.
One of these customized and back-and-forth communication was as soon as facilitated by human scammers working via Telegram or WhatsApp chats, ConsumerAffairs defined.
The pretend Gemini AI chatbot even reinforces urgency via remaining presale phases, imminent listings, or limited-time bonuses. Digital Watch equally defined that the rip-off web site used staged milestones and token gross sales figures to stress customers into quick choices.
AI impersonation drives rising crypto fraud
Malwarebytes highlighted that the chatbot doesn’t get confused or break character even when pressed with questions. It loops again to the identical scripted claims, reminiscent of “detailed 2026 roadmap,” “military-grade encryption,” “AI integration,” and a “rising group of traders.”
Malwarebytes wrote that the system was locked right into a gross sales conversion script with a single aim of getting victims to ship cryptocurrency.
Nevertheless, the current marketing campaign isn’t an remoted case. It displays a new playbook for crypto scammers.
As an illustration, MEXC famous that Chainalysis’ 2026 Crypto Crime Report discovered that $17 billion in cryptocurrency was misplaced to scams and fraud in 2025. The report discovered impersonation scams surged 1,400% yr over yr, and that AI-enabled scams have been 4.5 occasions extra worthwhile than conventional ways.
Chainalysis warned that impersonation fraud “is rising and changing into extra refined,” with criminals relying closely on urgency, secrecy, and emotional stress, quite than technical pressure.
The Google Coin web site featured skilled design parts, pretend dashboards, and logos from main corporations to recommend credibility. Clicking “Purchase” generated a Bitcoin fee request linked to a pockets deal with, regardless of there being no reliable token or change itemizing.
Purple flags safety leaders ought to watch
Malwarebytes warned that AI chatbots on rip-off websites are more likely to develop into extra widespread.
The agency suggested customers to be cautious of chatbots impersonating well-liked AI manufacturers on third-party crypto websites, particularly after they promise particular or assured returns tied to future itemizing costs. Excessive-pressure ways reminiscent of countdown timers and claims about remaining presale phases are designed to pressure fast choices.
ConsumerAffairs cited Federal Commerce Fee knowledge displaying that US customers misplaced $5.7 billion to funding scams in 2024, a 24% enhance from the earlier yr. “Cryptocurrency stays the second-most widespread fee methodology utilized in scams, largely as a result of transactions are quick and irreversible,” ConsumerAffairs reported.
Google has not launched a cryptocurrency, and safety groups ought to count on extra AI-driven impersonation scams as these instruments develop into simpler to deploy.
See the total Chainalysis findings on how AI-powered impersonation scams surged 1,400% yr over yr.
