Tags: scam

Google's AI Overviews, which present synthesized answers to search queries, are being weaponized by scammers who embed fraudulent phone numbers in the data the AI pulls from the web. Victims who rely on these AI‑generated contact details may call numbers that route them to impostors seeking payment or personal information. Google says it is strengthening anti‑spam protections, but experts advise users to verify any phone numbers directly on official company sites. The issue highlights broader risks of AI‑driven search results presenting unchecked information as fact. Weiterlesen

Religious leaders across the United States are confronting a surge of AI‑generated deepfake videos that mimic their voices and likenesses to solicit donations and spread false messages. Cybersecurity experts warn that scammers are leveraging these realistic impersonations on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, leading to calls, messages and fraudulent fundraising appeals. Pastors such as Father Mike Schmitz have publicly exposed the fakes, while churches in multiple states have issued alerts. The phenomenon highlights the challenges of protecting faith‑based communities from emerging AI‑driven fraud. Weiterlesen

Haotian, a Chinese‑language artificial‑intelligence app that offers near‑perfect face‑swapping for live video calls, has become a key tool for fraudsters in Southeast Asia. The service, promoted mainly through a Telegram channel, enables users to adjust facial features and even clone voices in real time. Researchers found that Haotian’s customers are increasingly scammers who use the technology for "pig‑butchering" schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and other illegal activities. Payments to the company, largely in USDT, total about $3.9 million and include funds linked to known fraud cases. Haotian’s ties to the now‑sanctioned escrow platform Huione Guarantee further embed it in the region’s gray‑market infrastructure. Weiterlesen