SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – The global law enforcement agency INTERPOL has introduced a new initiative to alert the public about scams employing AI-crafted or altered media. Launched on Monday, October 19, the campaign features three short videos, all generated using artificial intelligence, illustrating how synthetic media, known as deepfakes, can deceive unsuspecting individuals. The core message encourages viewers to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” INTERPOL, which includes 196 member countries, expressed concern that awareness of this threat remains limited.
One clip depicts a scammer impersonating a boss, while others portray a cloned female voice and a fabricated romantic partner. INTERPOL stated that generative AI applications and the large language models powering them are advancing rapidly, making it easier than ever to create convincing fakes without extensive technical expertise or high costs. These tools can produce highly realistic avatars capable of speaking like humans and can clone faces or voices using minimal internet-sourced material.
Once seen mainly as a threat to public figures, deepfake-related crimes now increasingly target private citizens through schemes like investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation. Victims might receive a video call from someone pretending to be a colleague requesting a bank transfer, or be contacted by a family member seemingly in danger. All these tactics aim to steal money or sensitive personal information. Past reports reveal that criminal groups use AI for cybercrime and fraud.
Warning signs fade as AI blurs old scam cues
Toshinobu Yasuhira, director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, explained that AI is erasing familiar fraud indicators. Mistakes such as misspellings, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are quickly becoming obsolete warning signals, he said. Yasuhira emphasized that anyone, regardless of age, location, or profession, can fall prey to these scams. INTERPOL’s mission is to equip law enforcement and the public with the knowledge and tools needed to identify these threats early. In December 2024, the United Nations adopted a landmark cybercrime treaty to bolster international cooperation against such offenses.
INTERPOL advised vigilance against unsolicited contacts from strangers or individuals claiming to be friends, family members, or trusted organizations, as these often escalate quickly to requests for personal details, banking information, or money. The pressure to act immediately, often linked to a personal crisis or family emergency, is another warning sign. Scammers may rely on fear, distress, or secrecy to prevent targets from consulting others. Demands for wire transfers, cryptocurrencies, or gift cards should also raise suspicion because these payment methods are difficult to trace.
Confirm identities and establish a code word
Rapidly intensifying online relationships, with declarations of love or emotional dependency, can also indicate scams. Victims might be coerced into leaving official dating platforms, where monitoring and reporting systems are in place. INTERPOL recommended staying calm and skeptical, taking time to evaluate any requests—even from familiar contacts. Discussing the situation with trusted individuals can be helpful. For unsolicited calls, hanging up and contacting the person through verified channels is advised.
Families and close friends are encouraged to agree on a safe word or secret question to verify identities during suspicious calls. Checking the online profiles of new contacts and ensuring profile pictures are not copied from elsewhere is also recommended. 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 efforts in Southeast Asia and beyond to combat synthetic media threats.