SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – The global police organization INTERPOL has introduced a new initiative to alert the public about scams that utilize AI-generated or AI-manipulated media. Announced on Monday, October 19, the campaign features three brief videos, all created with artificial intelligence. These clips demonstrate how synthetic media, commonly known as deepfakes, can be exploited to deceive unsuspecting individuals. The core message urges the public to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” INTERPOL, representing 196 member countries, highlighted that awareness of this threat remains insufficient.
One of the videos depicts a criminal impersonating a superior, while others showcase a cloned female voice and a fabricated romantic partner. INTERPOL noted that generative AI applications and the large language models powering them are advancing rapidly. Crafting convincing fake content no longer requires extensive technical expertise or large budgets. These tools can generate hyper-realistic avatars that speak convincingly like humans. They can also imitate an individual’s face or voice using minimal online material.
Initially considered primarily a threat to prominent figures, deepfake-related crimes now increasingly target ordinary people through methods such as investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation campaigns. In practice, victims might receive a video call from someone claiming to be a colleague requesting a bank transfer. Others may be contacted by a family member appearing to be in trouble. The primary goal of these schemes is to steal money or sensitive personal information. Previous reports have indicated that criminal groups use AI for cybercrime and fraud.
Warning signs diminish as AI erases traditional scam indicators
Toshinobu Yasuhira, director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, explained that AI is making it more difficult to identify typical signs of fraud. Mistakes like spelling errors, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are quickly becoming outdated as indicators, Yasuhira said. He emphasized that individuals across all age groups, regions, and sectors are vulnerable to these new threats. INTERPOL’s efforts aim to equip law enforcement and the public with knowledge and tools to detect early signs of deception. Additionally, the United Nations adopted a landmark cybercrime treaty in December 2024 to bolster international cooperation against such criminal activities.
INTERPOL has called on the public to be cautious of unsolicited interactions from unfamiliar contacts or individuals claiming to be friends, relatives, or trusted institutions. These contacts often escalate quickly to requests for personal details, banking information, or money. Pressure to act immediately, especially when linked to personal crises or family emergencies, is a typical red flag. Scammers often employ tactics like fear, distress, or secrecy to prevent targets from seeking advice. Demands for payments via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards should also be met with suspicion, as such transactions are difficult to trace.
Confirm identities and establish a safety password
Rapidly intensifying online relationships, especially those involving declarations of love and emotional dependence, can also be indicative of scams. Victims might be encouraged to exit official dating sites, where fraud detection measures are in place. INTERPOL advised individuals to stay calm, remain skeptical, and take time to evaluate any unusual requests, even if they come from seemingly familiar sources. Consulting with others about the situation can be beneficial. For unsolicited calls, hanging up and contacting the individual through verified channels is recommended.
INTERPOL suggests families and close friends agree on a secure word or secret question to verify identities during suspicious calls. Additionally, individuals should verify the online profiles of new acquaintances and ensure that profile images are not stolen from other sources. Enabling two-factor authentication on all online accounts is also advised. This campaign is part of Project SynthWave PLUS, funded by the Government of Japan, which supports law enforcement agencies in Southeast Asia and beyond in combating threats posed by synthetic media.