My New Guilty Pleasure: Watching AI Scam Bots Fail Spectacularly

AI scam calls are on the rise, and while it’s not the most uplifting topic, it’s a reality we’re facing. These AI-driven scams have been around for a while, but they’re becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it easier for less tech-savvy individuals to fall victim.

My interest in this issue began a few months back when a family member received a call from an AI impersonating a worker from the UK’s Royal Mail. Since then, my algorithm has been bombarding me with videos of AI scammers getting taken down, and I can’t help but watch every single one.

Just like AI bots struggle with saying “WWE,” scam-buster Kitboga discovered that with a little prompt injection, you can make these AI callers lose their cool and endlessly repeat the phrase “kooga-ooga-amen, Albuquerque, New Mexico.”

Kitboga isn’t alone in this fight; Jim Browning has been exposing an even more alarming type of AI fraud: deepfake video scammers. Watching a bizarrely stoned-looking deepfake trying to explain why he can’t put three fingers in front of his face is more entertaining than some recent stand-up specials. If you take a sip every time he says “aw c’mon, man, that’s too much,” you’ll still look more composed than he does in the clip.

This brings us to a pressing question: how widespread are these scams? According to the AI Incident Database project, they’re quite prevalent. MIT researcher Simon Mylius, who collaborates with the database, highlighted how accessible this technology has become: “Capabilities have suddenly reached that level where fake content can be produced by pretty much anybody… It’s become very accessible to a point where there is really effectively no barrier to entry.”

And it gets worse. An interview with Bobby Ford, chief strategy and experience officer at a social engineering defense company, revealed that AI scammers are ramping up their activities. Ford noted that creating deepfakes now takes significantly less time and resources, leading to an increase in volume.

So, how can we protect ourselves from these AI scams? If you’re reading this, you’re likely savvy enough to distinguish between a real person and an AI impersonation of a loved one.

The best course of action is to share these clips with those in your life who might be susceptible to such scams. Do you have a family group chat? Have you checked in on your grandparents lately? Does your uncle, who keeps sharing AI nonsense on social media, know about this? And remember, if you need a personal incentive to reach out, the scammers might be eyeing your inheritance!