How YouTubers & AI Fuel the Aviator Betting Scam in India
The online gaming landscape in India has witnessed a significant surge in recent years, with numerous apps and platforms vying for users’ attention. However, amidst the chaos, a sinister aspect has emerged – the Aviator betting scam. This illegal app has been thriving in India, thanks to the collaboration of cunning YouTubers, AI tools, and social media ads. In this blog post, we will delve into the investigation conducted by Decode, a team of journalists, which exposed the Aviator betting scam and the role of YouTubers and AI in fueling it.
The Rise of Aviator Betting
Aviator is a betting app that offers a unique gaming experience, allowing users to bet on various outcomes, such as sports matches or online games. However, the app’s popularity is largely attributed to its illegal nature. Aviator is not licensed to operate in India, and its activities violate the country’s gaming laws.
The app’s success can be attributed to its aggressive marketing strategy, which involves partnering with social media influencers and YouTubers. These individuals promote the app on their channels, often by sharing fake celebrity endorsements and prediction scams on Telegram. The goal is to lure unsuspecting users into downloading the app, promising them huge wins and easy money.
YouTubers and the Aviator Scam
Decode’s investigation revealed that several YouTubers, with large followings, were promoting the Aviator app without disclosing its illegal nature. These influencers would create content that showcased fake wins, enticing their viewers to try the app. Some even went to the extent of claiming to have received massive payouts from the app.
One such YouTuber, with over 2 million followers, created a video showcasing a fake €10,000 win on Aviator. The video was viewed over 1 million times, with many viewers likely influenced to try the app. Another influencer, with 1.5 million followers, shared a video claiming to have won ₹25 lakhs (approximately $33,000) on Aviator.
AI Tools and Social Media Ads
To further amplify their reach, these YouTubers used AI tools to create targeted ads on social media platforms. These ads were designed to reach users who were most likely to be interested in the app, often based on their browsing history or online behavior.
The AI-powered ads were incredibly effective, allowing the Aviator app to reach millions of potential users. The ads often featured fake celebrity endorsements, such as images of popular cricketers or Bollywood stars, claiming to use the app.
Victims’ Stories
Decode’s investigation also revealed the devastating impact of the Aviator scam on victims. Many users who fell prey to the scam reported losing significant amounts of money, some even going into debt. One victim, a 25-year-old engineer, lost over ₹1 lakh (approximately $1,300) on Aviator. He had been lured by a fake celebrity endorsement on Telegram, which promised him a guaranteed win.
YouTube’s Response
Following Decode’s investigation, YouTube took down multiple videos promoting the Aviator app. The platform also removed several channels, citing violations of its community guidelines. However, the damage had already been done, with millions of users having already been targeted by the scam.
Meta’s Role
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has also been accused of failing to take adequate measures to curb the promotion of the Aviator app on its platforms. Despite receiving reports of illegal activities, Meta allegedly failed to take action against the advertisers and influencers promoting the app.
Conclusion
The Aviator betting scam is a stark reminder of the dangers of online gaming and the importance of vigilance. The collaboration of YouTubers, AI tools, and social media ads has created a perfect storm, luring thousands of users into financial ruin. It is crucial that social media platforms, YouTube, and online gaming companies take immediate action to prevent such scams from happening in the future.
News Source:
https://www.boomlive.in/decode/aviator-youtubers-ai-meta-boost-an-illegal-game-india-28143
