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Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI) to amplify scams, creating more convincing content and automating fraudulent activities on a larger scale. The FBI has issued a public service announcement highlighting the growing misuse of AI tools, which are being used to deceive victims through text, images, audio, and video.
The FBI warns that AI-generated content, while not inherently illegal, has become a powerful tool for cybercriminals to conduct fraud, extortion, and impersonation schemes. With the help of AI, fraudsters can create highly believable social engineering tactics, such as spear phishing, scams, and investment fraud, by generating convincing text and imagery at scale.
AI-generated text is now being used for a variety of fraudulent purposes, including creating fake social media profiles, speeding up responses to victim inquiries, and generating content for fraudulent websites. This text can be used to manipulate individuals into sending money or clicking on malicious links. AI-powered chatbots on scam websites also prompt victims to engage further, increasing the reach of the scams.
Additionally, AI-generated images are making it harder to distinguish real from fake. Fraudsters use AI to create realistic profile pictures, fake identification documents, and even photos of celebrities promoting counterfeit products. These images are also used to deceive victims into donating to fraudulent charities or participating in market manipulation schemes.
AI technology is also being used to clone voices, enabling criminals to impersonate loved ones or public figures. Short audio clips of a person’s voice are used to elicit money, often in crisis or ransom situations, making it more difficult for victims to identify the fraud.
The FBI advises the public to be aware of the risks and offers several tips to protect against AI-generated fraud. Among the recommendations: create a secret word with family members to verify their identity, closely examine images and videos for subtle imperfections, and avoid sharing sensitive information with strangers. The FBI also stresses the importance of limiting social media exposure and conducting independent research when contacted by unfamiliar individuals.
As cybercriminals continue to adapt and evolve, AI-generated scams represent a significant challenge for both individuals and businesses. The FBI’s warning underscores the need for heightened vigilance in an increasingly digital world.
