SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – The global law enforcement agency INTERPOL has initiated a campaign aimed at alerting the public to scams involving AI-generated or AI-manipulated media. Launched on Monday, October 19, the campaign features three short videos created with artificial intelligence that demonstrate how synthetic media, commonly called deepfakes, can be exploited against unaware individuals. The core message encourages viewers to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” INTERPOL, with 196 member countries, highlighted that awareness of this threat is still limited.
One of the videos portrays a criminal impersonating a boss, while others show a cloned female voice and a fabricated romantic partner. INTERPOL pointed out that generative AI applications and the large language models that power them are advancing rapidly. Developing convincing fakes no longer requires advanced technical skills or significant investment. These tools are capable of producing hyper-realistic avatars that can speak like humans and replicate the face or voice of actual persons using minimal internet-sourced material.
Initially, deepfake crimes were mainly viewed as a threat to public figures. However, they are increasingly targeting private citizens through methods such as investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation. Victims might, for example, 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 goal of these schemes is typically to steal money or sensitive personal information. Past reports have shown that criminal groups use AI to facilitate cybercrime and fraud.
Warning signs diminish as AI erases traditional scam indicators
Toshinobu Yasuhira, director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, explained that artificial intelligence is reducing the visibility of classic fraud signals. Mistakes like misspellings, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are becoming less common as warning signs, Yasuhira noted. According to him, individuals of any age, location, or profession can be targeted. INTERPOL’s efforts aim to equip law enforcement and the public with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify these threats early. In December 2024, the United Nations adopted a landmark cybercrime treaty to enhance international cooperation against such offenses.
INTERPOL has urged caution against unsolicited outreach from strangers or individuals claiming to be friends, relatives, or reputable organizations. Such contacts often swiftly escalate to requests for personal details, bank information, or money. Urgency, especially when linked to personal crises or family emergencies, is a common red flag. Scammers frequently use fear, distress, or secrecy to prevent targets from seeking advice. Requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards should also be viewed with suspicion, as these payment methods are difficult to trace.
Confirm identities and establish a secure communication method
Rapidly escalating online relationships that involve declarations of love and emotional dependence can also be indicative of scams. Victims may be encouraged to leave official dating platforms, where reporting and monitoring systems are in place. INTERPOL advised individuals to stay calm, remain skeptical, and take time to evaluate any suspicious requests, even if they come from someone they recognize. Discussing the situation with others can be helpful. For unsolicited calls, the recommendation is to hang up and contact the person through a verified, known channel.
The organization also suggested that families and close friends agree on a secret word or question to verify identities during suspicious calls. It is important to review the online presence of new contacts and ensure profile images have not been copied from elsewhere. Enabling two-factor authentication across all online accounts is another recommended security measure. 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 responding to threats posed by synthetic media.