SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – The global law enforcement organization INTERPOL has initiated a campaign to alert the public regarding scams involving AI-generated or manipulated media. Announced on Monday, October 19, this effort features three short videos created with artificial intelligence. These clips demonstrate how deepfake technology can be weaponized against unsuspecting individuals. The campaign’s message encourages viewers to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” INTERPOL, which comprises 196 member countries, highlighted that awareness about these threats remains insufficient.
One of the videos depicts a criminal impersonating a boss, while others showcase a synthetic female voice and a fabricated romantic partner. INTERPOL pointed out that generative AI applications and the large language models powering them are advancing rapidly. Producing realistic fake content no longer requires advanced technical skills or large budgets. These tools can generate highly convincing avatars that speak naturally, and can imitate real faces or voices using minimal internet-sourced data.
In the past, deepfake crimes were mainly seen as threats to public figures. However, they are increasingly targeting private citizens through investment scams, impersonation, romance fraud, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation campaigns. A typical scheme might involve a victim receiving a video call from someone pretending to be a colleague asking for a bank transfer. Others may get a call from a family member in distress. The ultimate goal in each case is to steal money or sensitive personal information. Prior reports have shown that criminal groups use AI for cybercrime and fraud.
Early warning signs diminish as AI blurs traditional scam indicators
Toshinobu Yasuhira, head of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, explained that AI is making common signs of fraud less recognizable. Mistakes such as spelling errors, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are becoming less relevant as warning signals, he said. According to Yasuhira, people of all ages, regions, and sectors can now be targeted. INTERPOL’s mission is to equip law enforcement and the public with the knowledge and tools needed to detect these emerging threats early. In December 2024, the United Nations adopted a landmark cybercrime treaty to enhance international cooperation in combating such crimes.
INTERPOL strongly urges the public to be cautious of unsolicited contacts from strangers or individuals claiming to be friends, relatives, or trusted organizations. These approaches often quickly shift to requests for personal details, banking information, or money. An urgent call for action, often linked to a personal crisis or family emergency, is another red flag. Scammers may use intimidation, fear, or secrecy to prevent victims from seeking advice. Payments demanded via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards should also be viewed with suspicion, as these methods are difficult to trace.
Confirm identities and establish a secure communication method
Rapidly developing online relationships, marked by swift declarations of love and emotional dependency, can be indicative of scams. Victims may be coerced into leaving official dating platforms, where monitoring and reporting systems are in place. INTERPOL recommends staying calm and skeptical, taking time to evaluate any requests, even if they come from someone who appears familiar. Discussing these situations with others can be beneficial. For unsolicited calls, hanging up and verifying the contact through a trusted, official channel is advised.
The organization also recommends that families and close friends agree on a secret word or question to verify identities during suspicious conversations. It’s important to review the online presence of new contacts and ensure that profile pictures have not been stolen from other sources. Enabling two-factor authentication on all online accounts adds an extra layer of security. 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 posed by synthetic media.