Musician who used AI to create fake songs charged with $10 Million Streaming Fraud

CosmicTaco · 2024-09-05T23:17:43.409455+05:30

- A North Carolina man, Michael Smith, used AI to create fake songs and bands, then streamed them using bots to earn $10 million in royalties. - Smith, 52, was charged with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, facing up to 20 years in prison for each charge. - He created thousands of fake streaming accounts and used software to loop his music, making it appear as if real listeners were tuning in. - Smith's scheme involved uploading thousands of AI-generated songs weekly, earning him about $110,000 each month by mid-2019. - This case marks the first criminal prosecution for musical streaming manipulation by the Manhattan U.S. attorney's office. Source: [nytimes](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/nyregion/nc-man-charged-ai-fake-music.html)

A North Carolina man, Michael Smith, used AI to create fake songs and bands, then streamed them using bots to earn $10 million in royalties.
Smith, 52, was charged with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, facing up to 20 years in prison for each charge.
He created thousands of fake streaming accounts and used software to loop his music, making it appear as if real listeners were tuning in.
Smith's scheme involved uploading thousands of AI-generated songs weekly, earning him about $110,000 each month by mid-2019.
This case marks the first criminal prosecution for musical streaming manipulation by the Manhattan U.S. attorney's office.

Source: nytimes