SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – The global law enforcement agency INTERPOL has initiated a public awareness drive to alert about scams utilizing AI-generated or AI-modified media content. Announced on Monday, October 19, the effort features three short clips created with artificial intelligence, illustrating how deepfakes—synthetic media—can be exploited against individuals unaware. The campaign’s core message urges the audience to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” With 196 member countries, INTERPOL noted that understanding of this threat remains limited among the public.
One of the videos portrays an impostor impersonating a boss, while others present a cloned female voice and a fabricated romantic partner. According to INTERPOL, the rapid advancements in generative AI applications and large language models mean creating highly realistic fakes no longer requires extensive technical knowledge or large budgets. These tools are capable of producing lifelike avatars that communicate convincingly and can mimic the face or voice of real individuals using minimal online material.
Initially, deepfake-related crime was mainly seen as a threat to prominent figures. Today, however, private citizens increasingly face risks such as investment scams, impersonations, romance frauds, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation campaigns. In practice, victims might receive a video call from someone pretending to be a colleague requesting a bank transfer. Others may be approached by a relative in apparent trouble. All these schemes aim to steal money or access to sensitive information. Previous reports confirm that criminal groups use AI for cybercrime and fraud activities.
Warning Signs Diminish as AI Obscures Traditional Fraud Clues
Toshinobu Yasuhira, director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, explained that AI is increasingly eliminating recognizable indicators of deception. Mistakes in spelling, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are becoming less common as warning signs, he said. Yasuhira emphasized that individuals across all ages, regions, and sectors are vulnerable targets. The goal of INTERPOL’s efforts is to equip both law enforcement and the public with the necessary knowledge and tools to identify these emerging threats early. Additionally, the United Nations adopted a landmark cybercrime treaty in December 2024 to enhance international cooperation against such crimes.
The organization advised the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited interactions from unknown individuals or those claiming to be friends, relatives, or trusted institutions. Such contacts frequently escalate to requests for personal details, bank information, or money. Urgency is often created by citing a personal crisis or family emergency. Scammers may also employ fear, distress, or secrecy to prevent targets from consulting others. Payment requests via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards should raise suspicion because these methods are difficult to trace.
Confirm Identities and Establish a Secure Signal
Rapidly intensifying online relationships involving declarations of love and emotional dependence can also indicate scam attempts. Victims might be pressured to abandon official dating platforms, where monitoring and reporting features are available. INTERPOL advised individuals to remain calm, skeptical, and to take the time to evaluate any requests, even if they seem familiar. Discussing the situation with friends or family can provide additional clarity. For unsolicited calls, hanging up and contacting the person via a verified communication channel is recommended.
The organization also recommends that families and close friends agree on a secret word or question that can be used to verify identities during suspicious calls. People should verify online profiles of new contacts and ensure profile images are not copied from other sources. Enabling two-factor authentication on all online accounts is another critical 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 to counteract threats posed by synthetic media.