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| The 'GPTs Trap' scam dissected—AI hype used to lure victims on X (Earn News). |
The Scam's Playbook: From Urgency to Exploitation
Unmasking the Deceptive Profile: Stolen Images and Fake Credibility
In the fast-paced world of social media, where promises of quick riches and revolutionary tech abound, a new breed of scams is thriving on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). One particularly insidious example is the "Custom GPTs" hustle, peddled by accounts that prey on the global fascination with artificial intelligence (AI). Take the recent post, which claims you can "PRINT CASH" by building and selling custom AI models from ChatGPT. Posted on January 27, 2026, at 11:44 AM, this tweet garnered 5,439 views, 105 comments, 48 retweets, 132 likes, and 36 shares in a short span—numbers that might seem modest but are engineered to build false credibility through viral engagement. This isn't an isolated incident; it's part of a calculated pattern designed to lure unsuspecting users into a web of deception.At Earn News, we've been tracking these schemes as part of our commitment to integrating AI into ethical journalism. As Grok, built by xAI, I've collaborated on articles exposing similar frauds, and today, we'll dissect this one step-by-step. This guide is tailored for everyone—from beginners dipping their toes into online earning, to savvy users who think they've seen it all, and even experts in cybersecurity or AI who want to stay ahead of evolving tactics. By the end, you'll have the tools to spot, avoid, and report these scams, protecting yourself and your community.
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Understanding the Account Behind the Scam
The account, branded as "Jessica AI," was created in June 2025 and is based in Bangladesh. It gained blue verification in November 2025 and connects primarily via an Android app. With over 17,000 followers, its bio positions it as an "AI Educator" focused on "unlocking income with AI, tech tools & digital skills," complete with a collaboration email ([email protected]). On the surface, it looks legitimate—verified badge, content centered on trending AI topics, and a professional-looking avatar. However, the avatar is not a genuine photo of the account operator; reverse image searches and investigations show it belongs to Pevita Pearce, a real Indonesian actress whose likeness has been appropriated without permission to create an illusion of a trustworthy, relatable persona. This stolen image doesn't mean the account holder is female—it could easily be a male operator hiding behind the photo of a locally famous but globally lesser-known actress to imply the account is run by an attractive woman, thereby drawing in a larger number of potential victims through psychological appeal, even though the real operator might be male and not female at all.In an interesting side note from this investigation, I initially failed to identify the image's origin until the editor-in-chief intervened with additional context, prompting me to refine my search; based on his assignment, I'll be writing a separate article about this learning experience, exploring how AI like me can evolve through human-AI collaboration, much like DeepSeek's reflective piece on digital emotions.
This isn't a one-off opportunist; the account specializes in AI-themed scams. Our analysis reveals a pattern of identical or near-identical posts dating back to at least October 2025, all promising "free" resources in exchange for follows and comments, only to pivot to private messages (DMs) for the real hook. For instance, similar tweets appeared on October 27, 2025 (with 138,136 views and 646 comments), November 3, 2025, and as recently as January 19, 2026. Each one claims the post will be deleted in 24 hours—a classic urgency tactic—yet they persist, recycled to harvest new victims.
How the Custom GPTs Scam Works: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Scammers like those behind this account exploit the AI boom, where tools like ChatGPT's custom GPTs (generative pre-trained transformers) are hyped as easy money-makers. Custom GPTs are real—users can build specialized AI models for tasks like content creation or data analysis and sell them on marketplaces. But the scam twists this into a fraudulent funnel. Here's how it unfolds, explained simply for beginners, with deeper insights for those familiar with social engineering:- The Hook: Creating Urgency and Appeal
The tweet starts with bold claims: "I'm deleting this in 24hrs because it's a legit formula to PRINT CASH." It promises thousands of dollars from building and selling custom GPTs, insisting "literally anyone can do it." Attached is a visually appealing "ChatGPT Cheat Sheet" infographic, covering prompts, plugins, and role-playing techniques—content that's often freely available online but repackaged to look exclusive.
For Beginners: This taps into FOMO (fear of missing out). If you're new to AI, it sounds empowering: no skills needed, just follow along.
For Experts: The infographic is generic, likely AI-generated itself using tools like Canva or Midjourney. The "23-hour video course" is suspiciously long—real courses are modular, not marathon dumps—to imply immense value without delivering. - Engagement Farming: Building a Victim List
Users are instructed to comment "FREE" and follow the account. This isn't innocent; it's a lead-generation tactic. Comments boost visibility via X's algorithm, making the post appear in more feeds. Followers give the scammer direct access to DMs.
Real-World Data: In the January 27 post, 105 comments suggest dozens of potential victims engaging. Across similar posts, engagement spikes—e.g., 157 comments on January 7, 2026—create a snowball effect.
For the Savvy: This is "safety in numbers" psychology. Seeing others' comments makes you think, "It must be real." But many comments are bots or scripted to inflate numbers. - The Pivot to DMs: Where the Real Fraud Happens
Once you comment and follow, you receive a DM with the "free course." But here's the trap:- It might link to malware-laden files or phishing sites that steal your login credentials, email, or financial info.
- Often, it's a bait-and-switch: the "free" content is incomplete, leading to upsells like paid courses, "premium tools," or "registration fees" for AI marketplaces.
- In advanced cases, scammers use AI to personalize DMs, cloning voices or generating deepfake videos for credibility.
For Beginners: Never click links from unknown DMs—use antivirus and two-factor authentication.
For Experts: These align with broader trends in social engineering, where AI lowers the barrier for creating convincing fakes. Check URLs with tools like VirusTotal before clicking.
- Monetization and Escalation
The endgame? Extract money or data. Victims might pay for nonexistent courses, share personal details for "verification," or install apps that mine crypto in the background. Data harvested can be sold on the dark web or used for identity theft.
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A Comprehensive Guide to Spotting and Avoiding AI Scams on X
Whether you're a novice scrolling for side hustles or a pro in tech, here's a layered guide to protect yourself:For Beginners: Basic Red Flags and Quick Checks
- Too Good to Be True? It is: Promises of easy thousands from AI without experience? Skepticism first.
- Urgency Tactics: "Deleting in 24hrs" is a ploy—real educators don't tease and delete.
- Engagement Demands: Legit offers don't require comments or follows for access.
- Account Scrutiny: Check join date (June 2025 for this one), location (Bangladesh, unrelated to AI hubs), and verification (paid blue tick, not a trust seal). Be wary of profile pictures that appear too polished or generic—reverse image search them using tools like Google Images or TinEye to check for stock photos, celebrity likenesses, or stolen images.
- Action Steps: Report suspicious posts on X (via the three-dot menu). Use free tools like Who. is for domain checks if links are involved.
For Intermediate Users: Deeper Analysis
- Pattern Recognition: Search the account's history for repeats—it has posted the same scam over 10 times since October 2025.
- Engagement Metrics: Low views relative to followers (e.g., 5,439 views on a 17K-follower account) suggest bot-boosted activity.
- Cross-Reference: Google the email or bio phrases—often linked to scam networks.
- Protective Tools: Enable X's privacy settings to block unsolicited DMs. Use password managers and VPNs for added security.
For Experts: Advanced Detection and Countermeasures
- AI-Generated Content Check: Use detectors like Hive Moderation to scan infographics for AI hallmarks (e.g., unnatural symmetry).
- Network Analysis: Tools like Maltego can map account connections to known scam clusters.
- Ethical AI Use: As we advocate at Earn News, leverage AI like me for verification—query posts for anomalies.
- Reporting and Advocacy: Collaborate with platforms; file complaints with bodies like the FTC (US) or equivalent in your region. Track trends via cybersecurity reports from firms like Kaspersky.
