An unknown face, a story that is too beautiful, images that seem true. Behind the scenes, there are crooks manipulating everything, and millions of people believed it.
It all started with a video of a French boss, Jean-François Pillou, which showed its computers working using artificial intelligence programs. Scammers took this video, then made up a story: they said it showed a Chinese student, supposedly becoming rich thanks to his machines and AI. This is how the scam started on the Internet.
In a few days, nearly 3 million people saw the video scrolling through their news feed. Many believe in it: this unknown young man would be living proof that you can get rich overnight thanks to the magic of computers. The trap closes. Below the video, a link redirects to an online betting platform via an affiliate link. Concretely, this means that the person behind the publication can earn a commission if Internet users register or bet money after clicking on the link. The whole story around the so-called Chinese student and his spectacular gains therefore mainly serves to attract curious people and push them towards this platform.
How does this work so well? Because today’s scammers know how to make a story believable. They don’t even film themselves: they just have to collect a real video, invent a narrative simple enough to attract trust, and add small details which seem “technical” but remain understandable. Colored lights, for example, are synchronized to computers to give the impression of exceptional craftsmanship.
This way of doing things is not new, but today it is taking on an unprecedented scale. Social media speeds up everything. A video posted at 8 a.m. can reach millions of people before noon, without any moderator coming to verify that it is true. Many share without suspecting that it is a scam which ultimately feeds dubious betting or trading platforms.
Jean-François Pillou had nothing to do with it. His real video simply explained the way he works with his computers: three separate machines that each have a different “role”, and lights to see if they are working well. When they are green, everything works; when they turn blue or red, you must intervene. No need to know anything about it: the system exists to organize itself properly, not to make a fortune or impress the entire planet. The material costs a few dozen euros. But, taken over by dishonest hands, this simple device becomes the key step in a modern scam.
Why do we see so many videos of this type today? Because it’s easy, quick, and it works. In just a few clicks, an Internet user’s video is copied, disguised, re-shared, sometimes without them knowing. Platforms, like As soon as an image gives the impression of a great, well-kept secret or a technological miracle, people relay and comment, sure to snowball.
So, how can you avoid being fooled? A few simple signs should alert you. Be wary of any video that promises you to make a lot of money in a very short time. If the story seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t. Also be very careful if the video asks you to click on a link to bet, invest, or buy miracle training. Finally, if the author promises you a profit without ever providing verifiable proof or clear information about the company or the origin of the service, move on.
