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DeepSeek and digital scams: new Chinese AI became the target of over 2,000 fraudulent sites created in January alone

branddi · Published on February 14, 2025 · Updated on April 10, 2026

The recent arrival of DeepSeek, a new Chinese artificial intelligence, has already attracted the market's attention not only due to its potential, but also due to the growth in fraud associated with its name. According to a survey by Branddi, a company specializing in brand security, in January 2,137 fake websites were created using the DeepSeek domain. Of these, 1,983 were registered between the 26th and 31st. Furthermore, another 230 were detected only in the first weekend of February.

The significant increase in domains in the period is in line with the moment in which the program was officially launched, on January 20th. However, Branddi's analysis has already identified fraud patterns associated with the new AI. Among the main scams detected are the sale of fake tokens (digital assets) through DeepSeek and offers of versions of the application in cryptocurrencies, exploiting the platform's name to deceive internet users and investors.

Another point of attention is related to the digital advertising environment. Branddi detected actions in which scammers run ads on Meta Ads to spread false promotions improperly using DeepSeek's name. These deceptive campaigns redirect users to unofficial apps, compromising consumers' digital security and inducing fake purchases.

Gustavo Mariotto, CSO at Branddi, explains the relationship between the name of the new AI and the scams that have been applied: "It is important to highlight that, in all the cases mentioned, the actions come from scammers who use DeepSeek as a means to carry out fraud. In any case, the platform should not be blamed for the scams applied, and can, in fact, also be considered as a victim of scammers."

Growth in Google Brazil searches

In addition to the proliferation of fraudulent websites and advertisements in which the new AI is used by scammers, Brazilians' interest in the topic has also increased significantly. On January 28, Google searches for the term "DeepSeek scam" exploded, increasing 100 times. This spike in interest is in line with the data provided by Branddi, demonstrating that the topic is in evidence both for those seeking to understand the risks of the new tool and for Internet users who wish to protect themselves from possible frauds that are emerging.

Brand Impersonation: how fraud impacts the market

The phenomenon observed with DeepSeek is a case of Brand Impersonation, a technique in which fraudsters replicate the visual identity and name of a brand already known in the market to attract the public and carry out scams. "We are facing a sophisticated dynamic, which combines fake domains, parallel marketplaces and misleading advertisements to expand the reach of fraud. These scams not only harm consumers, but also directly impact companies, causing financial losses and affecting the reputation of these brands", explains Mariotto.

Branddi warns that the spread of these frauds could grow even more in the coming months, as new AI tools attract great interest from the public and are frequent targets of digital scams. Continuous monitoring and rapid action to remove fraudulent content are essential to contain the negative impacts of these practices.

About Branddi

Founded in 2021, Branddi has established itself as a market-leading solution for monitoring and combating abusive practices related to brands on the internet. Combining advanced technology and brand protection experts, the company can analyze more than 250,000 new domains daily and more than 10 million ads monthly, acting quickly to remove threats. Branddi focuses its efforts on protecting the performance and reputation of brands in the digital environment, offering comprehensive solutions to current challenges.

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