How Artificial Intelligence is Driving Fraud Schemes in 2025

It’s hard to overstate how much the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the way we experience the internet. According to Forbes, 34 million AI-generated images are created each day, and tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and others are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in AI development in 2025.

But the emerging tech also brings troubling developments in the realm of fraud prevention: Forbes also reports that deepfake fraud attempts have surged to become “among the three most popular methods of fraud.” (Source: Forbes.com)

As AI becomes a more prevalent tool for fraudsters, the FBI is taking notice – and working to help consumers stay ahead of emerging fraud threats. In a recent public service announcement, federal officials shared four examples of how AI-generated content is being used by scammers:

• AI-Generated Text allows scammers to create and flesh out fake social media profiles or overcome spelling and grammatical errors when communicating with victims.
• AI-Generated Images, like more believable social media photos, identification documents, and even fake images of victims in embarrassing situations to demand payment in extortion schemes.
• AI-Generated Audio, or Vocal Cloning, allows criminals to generate short audio clips containing a loved one’s voice to impersonate a relative asking for financial assistance or demanding a ransom.
• AI-Generated Videos can be used for real-time video chats with alleged law enforcement, or in private communications to “prove” that the scammer is a “real person.”

The FBI also shared these tips to help consumers avoid becoming victims of AI fraud:

• Create a secret word or phrase with your family to verify their identity.
• Look for subtle imperfections in images and videos, such as distorted hands or feet, unrealistic teeth or eyes, indistinct or irregular faces, unrealistic accessories such as glasses or jewelry, inaccurate shadows, watermarks, lag time, voice matching, and unrealistic movements.
• Listen closely to the tone and word choice to distinguish between a legitimate phone call from a loved one and an AI-generated vocal cloning.
• If possible, limit online content of your image or voice, make social media accounts private, and limit followers to people you know to minimize fraudsters' capabilities to use generative AI software to create fraudulent identities for social engineering.
• Verify the identity of the person calling you by hanging up the phone, researching the contact of the bank or organization purporting to call you, and call the phone number directly.
• Never share sensitive information with people you have met only online or over the phone.
• Do not send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other assets to people you do not know or have met only online or over the phone.

Visit the FIBT Education Center for even more tips on staying one step ahead of scammers.

Source: PSA: Criminals Use Generative Artificial Intelligence to Facilitate Financial Fraud