SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – The global law enforcement agency INTERPOL has initiated a campaign aimed at raising awareness about frauds involving AI-created or AI-modified media. Launched on Monday, October 19, the campaign features three short videos produced with artificial intelligence that demonstrate how synthetic media, commonly known as deepfakes, can be exploited against unsuspecting victims. The core message encourages viewers to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” INTERPOL, which represents 196 member countries, highlighted that understanding of this threat remains limited.
One of the videos depicts a scammer impersonating a boss, while others illustrate a cloned female voice and a fabricated romantic partner. INTERPOL noted that the rapid advancement of generative AI applications and large language models has made creating realistic fakes easier than ever, requiring minimal technical expertise or expenditure. These tools are capable of generating highly convincing avatars that speak naturally and can mimic a person’s face or voice using only small samples sourced from the internet.
Initially, deepfake-related crime was primarily viewed as a threat to high-profile individuals. However, it has increasingly begun to target ordinary people through schemes involving investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation. In practice, victims might receive a video call from someone posing as a colleague requesting a bank transfer. Others may be contacted by a relative who appears to be in trouble. The ultimate goal of these schemes is to steal money or sensitive personal information. Past reports confirm that criminal groups use AI for cybercrime and fraud.
Signs to watch for as AI makes traditional scam signals less obvious
Toshinobu Yasuhira, director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, explained that AI technology is increasingly erasing the classic signs of fraud. Errors in spelling, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are becoming less reliable as warning indicators, Yasuhira stated. According to him, anyone regardless of age, location, or industry can fall prey to these attacks. INTERPOL’s efforts aim to equip law enforcement and the public with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify these emerging threats early. In December 2024, the United Nations adopted a landmark cybercrime treaty to enhance international cooperation against such offenses.
The organization recommends vigilance against unsolicited contact from strangers or individuals claiming to be friends, family members, or trusted institutions. These interactions often quickly escalate to requests for personal details, banking information, or money. Urgency, especially tied to a personal crisis or family emergency, is another warning signal. Scammers frequently use fear, distress, or the demand for secrecy to prevent targets from seeking advice. Requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards should also raise suspicion, as these methods are difficult to trace.
Confirm identities and set a safe word to prevent fraud
Rapidly intensifying online relationships marked by declarations of love or emotional dependence may indicate a scam. Victims are often encouraged to leave official dating platforms that have monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place. INTERPOL advises staying calm and skeptical, taking time to evaluate any suspicious request—even from someone who seems familiar. Consulting others can help clarify the situation. When receiving unsolicited calls, hanging up and reaching out through verified channels is recommended.
The agency also suggests families and close friends agree on a secret word or question to verify identities during suspicious calls. Checking the online presence of new contacts and ensuring profile photos are not copied from other sources is crucial. Enabling two-factor authentication on all online accounts is strongly advised. This campaign is part of Project SynthWave PLUS, funded by the Government of Japan, which supports law enforcement efforts in Southeast Asia and beyond to counteract threats from synthetic media.