How ‘deepfake Musk’ became internet’s biggest scammer

All Steve Beauchamp wanted was money for his family. And he thought Elon Musk could help.

Beauchamp, an 82-year-old retiree, saw a video late last year of Musk endorsing a radical investment opportunity that promised rapid returns. He contacted the company behind the pitch and opened an account for $248. Through a series of transactions over several weeks, Beauchamp drained his retirement account, ultimately investing more than $690,000.