You might have heard of the statement that science is a good servant but a bad master. This statement holds the same relevance when it comes to technological advancements.
Just take a minute and analyze the way you are using internet services. No doubt, the same internet makes it easier for you to read this blog and stay informed of what’s happening around but at the same time, this internet has made apps like Snapchat, Instagram, etc that end up wasting more time than contributing anything positive.
Now, you would say it varies from person to person and yes you are correct. But let’s zoom in on AI (Artificial Intelligence) that is making its entry into our lives.
It has proved to be beneficial for almost all sectors including automation, healthcare, finance, and cyber security but at the same time, this powerful technology in the wrong hands is giving rise to devastating scams than we have ever seen.
Recent reports have highlighted a sharp increase in AI-driven cybercrime, particularly in tech hubs like Bengaluru.
Dive in to learn how cybercriminals are making use of this technology to execute their scams.
How is AI Increasing Cybercrimes?
AI can now do almost everything a human can.
It can clone your voice, create personalized emails that look incredibly authentic, and set up fake websites that mirror genuine ones.
The list of possible scams is endless, but the key takeaway is that awareness is the best tool to protect yourself.
1. Voice Cloning Scams: The New Age of Deception
Imagine someone calls at you and the person on the other side, sounds exactly like the one closely related to you. The person creates an urgency for money due to an emergency.
What will you do?
Without any second thought, you will do the needful, that is transfer money in the respective account.
However, later you found it to be a scam, and the voice that you found familiar was an AI-generate fake voice.
2. AI-Powered Phishing Attacks
Recently, a case was reported by a senior executive of a Mumbai-based IT firm.
According to the report, the victim received an email from the company’s CEO asking him to approve a fund transfer of ₹25 lakh for the important international deal.
The email looked flawless and gave no clue of any kind of scam.
The victim did the needful and realized later that it was a deepfake phishing attempt. Scammers used AI to craft an email that looked so authentic that it bypassed the company’s security filters.
Now such scams can happen to anyone running a small or big business.
3. Fake AI-Generated Websites
AI can now generate highly realistic fake websites that mimic real companies, complete with authentic-looking URLs, logos, and customer service chats powered by AI bots.
Scammers use these sites to collect personal information and payment details to execute dangerous scams.
One such scam happened with tech professionals in Bengaluru. The person was expecting one courier and received a text message that appeared to be legitimate.
The message had one link that redirected him to a perfectly cloned website, asking him to confirm his details for delivery.
He followed the instructions and added his credit card details too. No later than a minute he received a transaction alert for multiple unauthorized purchases.
The scammer had misled him into collecting his financial information.
By the time he realized the scam he had already lost his hard-earned money.
How You Can Protect Yourself from AI-Powered Scams
Now above are only the highlights of how cybercriminals can use AI for their benefit without leaving any proof of tracking their locations.
It is therefore important to be more responsible and aware before making any transaction or clicking on any websites.
Verify Before You Trust
- If you receive an urgent request for money, call the person directly to confirm.
- Be cautious when clicking on links in emails or messages—verify the sender’s authenticity first.
Strengthen Your Security
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all financial and email accounts.
- Regularly update your passwords and avoid using the same one across multiple platforms.
Stay Informed
- Keep up with the latest cyber threats and scams.
- Educate your family and colleagues about AI-powered fraud techniques.
Use AI to Fight AI
- Install AI-powered cybersecurity tools that can detect suspicious activities and malware.
- Use banking alerts to monitor unusual transactions in real time.
Report the Scam
- Take quick action and report the scam on the respective platform.
- To avoid any confusion, learn how to report online frauds in India.
Conclusion
AI has undoubtedly transformed our world, but it’s also becoming a tool for cybercriminals to commit fraud.
As AI-powered scams become more advanced, the best defense is awareness, vigilance, and proactive security measures.
By staying informed and adopting strong cybersecurity habits, you can outsmart fraudsters and keep your personal and financial information safe.
The future of AI is promising, but only if we learn to protect ourselves from its darker side.
