Too good to be true? It’s probably AI
“Now more than ever, we need to separate false promises from reality.“
Fake news and false promises are increasing at an exponential rate. What I’m seeing is that AI is going beyond traditional scams – did you know that there is even one to “chat to your late great grandmother” and, surely enough, fake baby talking videos to last us a lifetime.
Whilst some of it is fun (talking cat, motorbike riding sheep), it’s more important than ever for all of us to stay aware and safe.
Five AI scams to be alert to include:
- AI Voice-Cloning (Impersonation Calls)
Targeting the vulnerable and impressionable, scammers use AI to clone someone’s voice (often taken from social media). They then call relatives or coworkers pretending to be that person and demand urgent money transfers. Fight back by asking questions only that person would know the answer to. Take a breath and check with them directly before acting.
2. Deepfake Video
Talking Baby videos are simply irritating, but AI-generated videos that impersonate executives, celebrities, or government officials can lead to serious harm. These “deepfake” videos can trick people into making payments, sharing credentials, or joining fake investment schemes. Take a frame of the video (or the video itself) and check online if it’s a scam
3. AI-Generated Phishing Emails & Chatbots
We have long been wary of those fake emails from the bank, but now scammers use AI to produce highly tailored, grammatically perfect phishing emails or chat interactions. AI can now mimic corporate writing styles or continue conversations in real time, increasing believability. If in doubt, assume it’s fake! Treat every email with suspicion and call your bank directly if unsure if this is safe.
4. Fake AI Investment/Trading Bots
If it’s too good to be true, it’s undoubtedly a scam! Fraudulent platforms advertise “AI-powered trading” or “AI crypto bots” that supposedly guarantee high returns. These systems use fake AI-generated dashboards to appear legitimate until the platform disappears with your money. If it’s promising you instant riches, you know it’s not true. Listen to your gut and do an online fraud check.
5. Romance & Relationship AI Chatbots
Scoundrels have been scamming lonely hearts for hundreds of years. Now, though, they deploy AI chatbots capable of holding long, emotionally convincing conversations. These bots build trust, then ask for gifts, crypto, or personal information. Some operate at scale with thousands of simultaneous conversations. Remember that these scams are designed to feel like true love, and we are most vulnerable in our heart space. Ask for wise counsel from a friend or therapist before falling in love with a robot designed to empty your wallet.
Luckily, the beauty of the modern age is that we can check these AI scams using AI itself. If you are new at this, ask a friend to show you how to copy and paste dodgy emails and texts into ChatGPT and ask if it’s fake.
Stay safe out there! And do share other tips that you have for staying ahead of the scammers.
