SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – INTERPOL initiated a public awareness initiative on Monday, October 19, to raise awareness of the increasing danger posed by crimes involving AI-generated or manipulated media used to deceive the public. The campaign features three brief videos, all created using artificial intelligence. These visuals demonstrate how synthetic media, widely known as deepfakes, can be exploited to mislead individuals. The central message encourages viewers to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” This effort targets both everyday citizens and law enforcement authorities.
The videos illustrate scenarios such as a criminal impersonating a superior, the cloning of a woman’s voice, and a fake romantic persona created online. INTERPOL explained that generative AI tools and the large language models supporting them are becoming more advanced daily. These tools no longer demand extensive technical expertise or significant investment. They can produce highly realistic avatars capable of human-like communication and replicate a person’s face or voice from limited online content.
According to INTERPOL, there remains a low level of public awareness regarding how deepfakes are used for criminal activities. While synthetic media crime was once primarily associated with targeting public figures, it now increasingly affects private individuals through schemes like investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation campaigns. A scam might involve a video call from an alleged colleague requesting a bank transfer or a call from a distressed relative. Prior reports have indicated that criminal groups use AI for cybercrime and fraud.
Warning signs are becoming less recognizable
Toshinobu Yasuhira, Director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, stated that “AI is erasing the tell-tale signs of a scam.” He noted that typical red flags like spelling errors, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are rapidly disappearing. Yasuhira emphasized that anyone can become a victim, regardless of age, location, or professional background. INTERPOL’s mission is to equip both law enforcement and the public with the knowledge and tools needed to identify these threats before any harm occurs. UNICEF has separately linked children’s use of AI to learning and safety risks.
INTERPOL highlighted that the ultimate goal of these scams is to steal money or extract sensitive personal data. Several warning signs were listed, including unsolicited contact from strangers or individuals claiming to be friends, relatives, or trusted organizations. Victims are often pressured to act immediately, citing a personal crisis or emergency. Scammers also rely on fear, distress, or secrecy to prevent targets from seeking advice. Requests for payments via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards are additional indicators of fraud.
Implementing safety measures like safe words and two-factor authentication recommended
INTERPOL also cautioned against online relationships that escalate quickly, with declarations of love and emotional dependency. Targets might be encouraged to shift conversations away from official dating platforms to avoid detection and reporting systems. The agency advises maintaining a skeptical attitude and remaining calm, even when convinced you are speaking with someone trustworthy. It is recommended to hang up on unsolicited calls and verify the identity through a known, secure channel. Consulting others about the situation is also advised.
INTERPOL urged families and close friends to establish a safe word or secret question to confirm identities during suspicious calls. It also recommended reviewing the online profiles of new contacts, ensuring profile images are authentic and not sourced elsewhere. Activating two-factor authentication on all accounts is encouraged as an additional security measure. This campaign is part of Project SynthWave PLUS, funded by the Government of Japan, which supports law enforcement efforts in Southeast Asia and beyond against threats posed by synthetic media.