CZ Warns About AI-Generated Fake Autobiography Circulating Online in 2025
- How Did This Fake CZ Autobiography Surface?
- What Makes This AI Forgery Particularly Concerning?
- How Widespread Is the AI-Generated Book Problem?
- Why Does CZ's Case Stand Out?
- How Can Readers Protect Themselves?
- What's Next for AI in Publishing?
- FAQs About the Fake CZ Autobiography
In a bizarre twist of digital deception, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has called out scammers peddling a fake AI-generated autobiography under his name. The fraudulent book, titled "Beyond Borders," appeared on French e-book platform Vivlio, claiming to be CZ's firsthand account of his journey from programmer to crypto titan. Here's the full breakdown of this strange saga and what it reveals about the growing problem of AI-powered fraud in publishing.
How Did This Fake CZ Autobiography Surface?
The scam first came to light when eagle-eyed readers spotted the suspicious listing on Vivlio's website. The platform described "Beyond Borders" as an intimate memoir where CZ supposedly details his immigration from Jiangsu to Canada, the founding of Binance, and his leadership philosophy in decentralized systems. What raised immediate red flags? The book was being offered completely free - highly unusual for any high-profile executive's memoir.
CZ quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce the publication: "This is NOT my book. Beware of scammers using AI to create fake books." He included a screenshot of the fraudulent listing showing the book's cover and promotional text claiming it was narrated by CZ himself.
Source: Vivlio
What Makes This AI Forgery Particularly Concerning?
The sophistication of this scam goes beyond your average fake memoir. The book description includes remarkably specific details about Binance's founding, compliance challenges, and even CZ's post-Binance reflections - information that could easily fool casual crypto enthusiasts. It positions itself as essential reading for "any founder, developer or crypto-curious reader" wanting insights into Web3 leadership.
What's wild is how the scammers timed this. The fake book appeared just days after CZ announced he'd stop publicly sharing his personal crypto investments to avoid market volatility. Coincidence? Probably not. Fraudsters likely saw an opportunity to capitalize on renewed public interest in CZ's perspective.
How Widespread Is the AI-Generated Book Problem?
This isn't an isolated incident. The publishing world has been grappling with an explosion of AI-generated content:
- Over 8,000 authors signed an open letter to OpenAI and Meta demanding compensation for using their works to train AI models
- 70+ writers petitioned major publishers about AI plagiarism concerns
- Comedian Rhys James found multiple AI-cloned versions of his books on Amazon
- UK startup Books By People launched a "Organic Literature" certification to verify human authorship
Even lawmakers are taking action. U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal proposed the AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act to address these issues.
Why Does CZ's Case Stand Out?
There's some irony here. Just weeks before this scam emerged, CZ had proposed using AI to create more objective judicial systems, arguing that "AI should theoretically be more objective" than humans influenced by mood or bias. Now he's become a victim of the very technology he advocated for responsible use of.
The BTCC research team notes this incident highlights a growing trend: "We're seeing bad actors increasingly target crypto figures with AI-generated content scams because the community values thought leadership so highly."
How Can Readers Protect Themselves?
Here are some red flags to watch for:
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing (like this "free" autobiography from a billionaire)
- Unverified platforms selling supposedly exclusive content
- Grammatical perfection with oddly generic phrasing (a telltale sign of AI writing)
- No official announcement from the purported author's verified channels
When in doubt, check the author's official social media. In this case, CZ's quick response on X helped prevent wider deception.
What's Next for AI in Publishing?
This incident raises tough questions. As AI tools become more sophisticated, how can we distinguish authentic content from convincing fakes? Some potential solutions emerging:
| Solution | Description | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Blockchain verification | Using NFTs or other blockchain tech to certify authorship | Adoption by traditional publishers |
| AI detection tools | Software to identify AI-generated text patterns | Constantly evolving AI evades detection |
| Legal frameworks | New laws around AI content disclosure | Global enforcement differences |
One thing's certain - as CZ's experience shows, even tech-savvy individuals can fall victim to these scams. The publishing industry needs to adapt quickly to maintain trust in the digital age.
FAQs About the Fake CZ Autobiography
What was the title of the fake CZ autobiography?
The fraudulent book was titled "Beyond Borders" and claimed to be Changpeng Zhao's firsthand account of his life and career.
How did CZ respond to the fake book?
CZ publicly denounced the book on his X (Twitter) account, warning followers that it was an AI-generated scam and not his authentic work.
Where was the fake book being sold?
The book appeared on French e-book platform Vivlio, offered completely free with VAT included - an immediate red flag for a high-profile executive's memoir.
What content did the fake book claim to include?
It purported to cover CZ's immigration story, Binance's founding, leadership challenges in crypto regulation, and his personal reflections after leaving the company.
How can readers verify authentic books from crypto figures?
Always check the author's official channels for announcements, be wary of unusual pricing, and look for verification through established publishers rather than obscure platforms.
