SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – INTERPOL initiated a public awareness initiative on Monday, October 19, to shed light on the increasing danger posed by crimes involving AI-generated or AI-modified media designed to deceive individuals. The campaign features three brief videos, all created with artificial intelligence, illustrating how synthetic media—commonly known as deepfakes—can be exploited to fool victims. The main message encourages the audience to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” This effort targets both everyday citizens and law enforcement personnel alike.
These videos portray various scenarios, including a scammer impersonating a boss, the cloning of a woman’s voice, and an online-created fake romantic identity. INTERPOL emphasized that generative AI tools and the large language models supporting them are becoming increasingly advanced daily. Such tools no longer require substantial technical expertise or significant investment; they can produce highly realistic avatars capable of human-like speech, as well as replicate a person’s face or voice using only a small amount of content found online.
According to INTERPOL, the public’s awareness of how deepfakes are used in criminal activities remains limited. Previously considered mainly a threat against public figures, synthetic media crimes now increasingly target private citizens, involving investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation campaigns. Scammers might, for example, conduct a video call pretending to be a colleague requesting a bank transfer or pretend to be a distressed relative. Earlier reports have also warned that criminal groups use AI to facilitate cybercrimes and fraud.
Indicators of deception are becoming less obvious
Toshinobu Yasuhira, Director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, stated, “AI is erasing the tell-tale signs of a scam.” He noted that traditional warning signs such as spelling errors, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are rapidly disappearing. Yasuhira pointed out that anyone can fall prey, regardless of age, location, or sector. INTERPOL’s mission is to equip both law enforcement and the public with the knowledge and resources necessary to identify these threats early and prevent harm. Separately, UNICEF has linked children’s use of AI to learning and safety concerns.
INTERPOL highlighted that the ultimate goal of these scams is to steal money or access sensitive personal data. Several warning signs have been identified for public awareness, including unsolicited contact from unknown individuals or those claiming to be friends, relatives, or trusted organizations. Victims are often pressured into acting swiftly, driven by claims of personal crises or family emergencies. Scammers also utilize fear, distress, or secrecy to prevent targets from seeking advice. Requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards are common indicators of a scam.
Recommendations include using safe words and two-factor authentication
INTERPOL cautioned against rapidly escalating online relationships, especially those where expressions of love and emotional dependence are exchanged early on. Victims might be prompted to shift conversations away from official dating platforms to evade monitoring and reporting mechanisms. The agency advises individuals to remain calm and skeptical, even when they believe they are speaking with someone trustworthy. Hanging up on unsolicited calls and reaching out through verified, known channels is strongly recommended. Discussing suspicious interactions with others is also encouraged.
Furthermore, INTERPOL recommended families and close friends establish a safe word or secret question to verify identities during suspicious calls. It also suggested reviewing the online profiles of new contacts and confirming that profile images are genuine and not stolen from elsewhere. Enabling two-factor authentication on all online accounts is another key precaution. 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 threats posed by synthetic media.