SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – The global law enforcement organization INTERPOL has initiated a campaign to inform the public about fraudulent schemes utilizing AI-created or AI-modified media. Announced on Monday, October 19, this effort features three brief videos, all produced with artificial intelligence technology. These clips demonstrate how synthetic media, commonly called deepfakes, can be exploited against innocent individuals. The core message encourages viewers 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 scammer impersonating a superior, while others showcase a cloned female voice and a fabricated romantic partner. INTERPOL noted that the capabilities of generative AI applications and the large language models they rely on are advancing rapidly. Producing convincing fake media no longer requires advanced technical skills or significant financial investment. These tools can generate hyper-realistic avatars capable of speaking like humans and can imitate a person’s face or voice with minimal online material.
Initially, deepfake-related crimes were mainly seen as threats targeting public figures. Today, however, ordinary citizens are increasingly affected through schemes such as investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation campaigns. In practice, victims might receive a video call from someone posing as a colleague requesting a bank transfer. Others could be approached by a relative in apparent trouble. The objective across these tactics is typically to steal money or access personal data. Prior reports have indicated that criminal groups use AI to facilitate cybercrime and fraud.
Warning signs as AI diminishes traditional scam indicators
Toshinobu Yasuhira, who oversees the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, explained that AI is making classic signs of deception less noticeable. Mistakes such as misspellings, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are becoming less reliable as warning signals, Yasuhira pointed out. According to him, individuals across all ages, regions, and sectors are vulnerable to targeted scams. INTERPOL’s mission is to equip both law enforcement and the public with knowledge and tools to identify these risks early. The United Nations adopted a landmark cybercrime treaty in December 2024 to enhance international cooperation against such crimes.
The organization advised vigilance against unsolicited contacts from unknown persons or individuals claiming to be friends, family, or trusted entities. These approaches often quickly shift towards asking for personal details, banking information, or money. A sense of urgency, especially if linked to a personal crisis or family emergency, can be a red flag. Scammers frequently use fear, distress, or secrecy to prevent victims from consulting others. Requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards should also raise suspicion, given the difficulty of tracing these transactions.
Implement verification measures and establish a safety word
Sudden and intense online relationships, such as declarations of love or emotional dependence, may also indicate scam activity. Victims might be coerced into leaving official dating platforms that offer monitoring and reporting features. INTERPOL suggested staying calm and skeptical, taking time to evaluate any requests—even from familiar contacts. Discussing the situation with trusted friends or family can be helpful. For unsolicited calls, individuals should disconnect and contact the person through a verified channel.
The organization recommended families and close friends agree upon a secret word or question to verify identities during suspicious calls. Checking the online profiles of new contacts and ensuring that their images haven’t been copied from elsewhere is advised. Enabling two-factor authentication for all online accounts is also strongly recommended. This campaign is part of Project SynthWave PLUS, funded by the Government of Japan, which supports law enforcement agencies across Southeast Asia and beyond in countering threats related to synthetic media.