# Man sentenced for using bots and AI to fake Taylor Swift streams

> A U.S. court ordered a fraudster to forfeit over $8 million after he used 10,000 bots and AI‑generated songs to boost streaming royalties.

Oossa · 2026-10-07 · https://oossa.com/en/man-sentenced-for-using-bots-and-ai-to-fake-taylor-swift-streams

A federal judge sentenced Michael Smith to 18 months in prison for a scheme that pumped up streaming numbers with thousands of fake accounts and AI‑created tracks that mimicked popular artists like Taylor Swift. The Department of Justice (DOJ) says the fraud siphoned royalties from real musicians who share the same payment pool on services such as Spotify and Apple Music. Smith must also forfeit the $8,091,843.64 he earned from the illegal activity.

## How the scheme worked

Smith set up about 10,000 bot accounts that repeatedly streamed AI‑generated songs designed to sound like current hits. Each stream generated a tiny royalty payment, but the sheer volume added up to millions. Because streaming platforms calculate payouts from total streams across all users, the fake plays reduced the share that legitimate artists receive.

## The facts

- The DOJ charged Michael Smith with streaming fraud that used 10,000 bot accounts.
- Smith earned $8,091,843.64 from the scheme, which the court ordered him to forfeit.
- He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay back the forfeiture.
- The fraud targeted royalty pools on major streaming services, lowering payouts for genuine artists.

## Why it matters

For music fans, the case shows that artificial streams can shrink the royalties that go to real artists, meaning less money for the songs you love. It also signals that authorities are willing to pursue harsh penalties, which may deter similar scams in the future.

## Sources & references

1. [Outstreaming Taylor Swift is easy with 10K bots and AI songs, fraudster admits](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/outstreaming-taylor-swift-is-easy-with-10k-bots-and-ai-songs-fraudster-admits/) – Ars Technica, 2026-10-07

Last updated: 2026-10-07