Amidst the Pinay gold medalist scandal, a viral Japanese video link is triggering a new wave of online scams across social media. The initial scam, centred on fake leaked videos of Filipina influencer Zyan Cabrera—also known as Jerriel Cry4zee—has tricked users into phishing sites that stealFacebookcredentials.
Now, fraudsters are blending this with AI-catfishing using the Japanese rap song 'Just a Boy', luring victims during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. As of 11 February 2026, reports indicate rising cases in thePhilippinesand beyond.
The scam began circulating on Facebook and Telegram, using enticing posts about a 'Pinay gold medalist viral video scandal' to draw clicks. Scammers exploit names like Zyan Cabrera, promising explicit content tied to the Olympics, but links lead to fake login pages or malware downloads.
Cybersecurity experts note it's part of a global phishing wave, with similar tactics seen in cases involving Alina Amir and Arohi Mim. In the Philippines, over half the population has encountered scams, with 68% of victims losing money—11% reporting large sums.
One retired teacher lost £1.8 million ($2.5 million) in a related romance fraud, thoughauthorities recovered£14.8 million ($20.1 million) from such schemes last year. The timing with the Olympics hardly surprises, as fraudsters capitalise on high-profile events to spread misinformation.
The Japanese rap song 'Just a Boy', by Italian band DrINsaNE, exploded onInstagramafter Delhi vocalist Pragati Naagar's cover went viral on 28 January 2026. Her reel garnered millions of views, but soon AI-generated profiles hijacked her voice, pairing it with hyper-realistic model faces in trending clips.
Accounts like Aanyaa Sheoran and Ira posted videos racking up 2.5 million to 3.8 million views, soliciting paid collaborations. Naagar remarked, 'Seeing my voiceused in AI videos with millions of views is surprising. I don't mind AI usage - credit matters.' These admins earn substantial sums through the deception, fuelling a catfishing boom.
Experts advise checking for poreless skin, unnatural movements, and new account ages to spot fakes. In Japan, similar deepfake tactics have amplified traditional scams, like impersonating executives,causing lossesover £464.7 million ($635 million) in some cases.
Fraudstersare now merging the Pinay gold medalist scandal with the viral Japanese video, creating AI reels that mimic the athlete using 'Just a Boy' audio to bait users into scams. This hybrid approach exploits Olympic hype, directing victims to phishing links disguised as scandal footage.Visa has disruptedover £735.3 million ($1 billion) in global scam attempts, highlighting the scale.
It's already a common scam in Japan (オレオレ詐欺; ore-ore sagi) for thugs to call senior citizens, pretend to be their kids in financial trouble, and con them out of all their money. Stuff like this is going to make the problem 10x worse.https://t.co/K3WC6OcLq8
Source: International Business Times UK
