RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) – North Carolina’s attorney general is warning people about increasing scam tactics on social media.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson says scammers are targeting people on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. They’re using fake videos and images called deepfakes to create investment scam ads.

“Scammers are using familiar faces and new technology to gain trust and steal money,” Jackson said. “No legitimate investment should require you to act immediately. Take your time, do your research, and don’t let anyone pressure you into making a big financial decision.”

Two common scams include:

• Pump and dump: Scammers get people to buy cheap stocks or crypto using fake celebrity ads.
• Confidence scams: Scammers build trust, then convince victims to invest in fake platforms that steal their money.

Officials say to watch out for:

• Promises of guaranteed returns
• Pressure to act fast
• Celebrity endorsements that seem fake
• Requests to send cryptocurrency
• Being asked to move conversations to apps like WhatsApp or Telegram

Before investing, experts advise:

• Checking credentials and reviews
• Making sure emails are official
• Looking for spelling errors
• Talking to a trusted advisor
• Trusting your instincts if something feels off

Jackson is also pushing Meta to strengthen its ad review practices to stop these scams.