
Artificial intelligence (AI) allows scammers to increase fraud attempts. They target a very large number of potential victims simultaneously, according to Europol experts. Combined with the context of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, AI is fueling a veritable explosion of scams on dating applications and sites as well as on social networks.
Dating sites, the new El Dorado for scammers of all kinds
Less than two years after the release of the Netflix documentary “The Tinder Swindler”, highlighting the manipulations of a scammer on dating applications, fraud is exploding on dating sites and applications thanks to AI. Faced with these often very elaborate profiles with tragic stories, caution is required. “Never send money to someone you have not met personally,” advises Burkhard Mühl.
Out of shame and guilt, many victims of these dating site scams do not report the facts to the police. However, the psychological and financial consequences can be devastating, with colossal losses of savings and even suicides.
New ultra-sophisticated fraud methods thanks to AI
Thanks to the capabilities of AI, scammers now have tools allowing them to industrialize their misdeeds and maximize their profits. According to Sebastian Bley, head of the economic crime team at Europol, fake profiles posing as doctors or soldiers in a conflict zone are contacting users. They then ask for money, claiming to have to flee the war zone and get their families out. The sums claimed can reach tens of thousands of euros.
According to him, AI allows them to approach a very large number of potential targets with less effort. Online, it’s easy to quickly move on to new prey if the previous attempt isn’t successful.
Europe, with its high standard of living, is a prime target for these criminals operating mainly from outside the EU. In a recent “fake boss” case, crooks managed to steal no less than 50 million euros to various multinationals, creating extremely well-documented fake websites and profiles.
The advent of AI opens a new era for cybercrime. And this with more sophisticated fraud methods and an increased ability to deceive their victims. Faced with this growing threat, governments must urgently regulate and supervise these technologies, and raise public awareness of the risks. The task promises to be difficult as technological progress opens up new possibilities for scammers of all kinds.
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