Viral Rap Triggers AI Catfishing Scams

The viral Japanese rap song "Just a Boy" has become the catalyst for a concerning surge in AI-driven catfishing online. Individuals behind AI-model accounts are leveraging hyper-real videos, synchronized with popular audio clips, to deceive audiences. This tactic has led to the widespread misuse of voices from real creators, such as Delhi-based vocalist Pragati Naagar, whose reel went viral on January 28, 2026.

These AI-generated bots, often with millions of views, are designed to fool viewers into believing they are interacting with real creators. Accounts created only weeks or months prior are rapidly gaining traction, soliciting collaborations and monetary rewards. This unregulated use of AI content is being promoted by platform algorithms, enabling malicious actors to pursue their agendas and extract money.

To combat this growing issue, experts are providing guidance on how to distinguish AI-generated videos from authentic content. Key indicators include observing the skin's texture for a poreless, plastic-like appearance, noting the newness of associated profiles, and looking for unnatural eye or hand movements. A lack of varied content in stories and a consistent focus on trending audios in perfect reels can also be tell-tale signs of AI manipulation.