Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful and popular technology with transformative potential. Its applications span various industries, revolutionising how we live, work, and interact. However, amidst its myriad benefits, there are concerns about the security and potential risks associated with this cutting-edge technology. Today we will explore a thought-provoking question: Can AI empty your bank balance? Unfortunately, the answer is Yes!
A recent incident has shed light on the dangers of AI. A man in China nearly lost $600,000 to an AI-driven scam in just 10 minutes. The man surnamed Guo, received a WeChat video call from someone who he thought was a friend. The caller used an AI program to mimic the face and voice of the man’s friend, so he was not suspicious at first.
The scammer then asked the man for his company’s bank information so that he could make a bid for a project. The man gave the scammer the data, and within 10 minutes, the scammer transferred $593,000 out of the company’s account.
The scammer tried to persuade Guo by claiming to have already sent money to his account. To back up this claim, the scammer shared a fabricated screenshot of a bank transfer receipt. Tragically, Guo fell for the deception.
Despite verifying the face and voice, Guo ultimately fell for the scam. He made two transfers to the accounts provided by the scammer, only to later realise that his actual friend had never made such a request.
Guo promptly reported the incident to the police, who swiftly contacted the scammer’s bank to halt the transfer. Although they managed to stop 3.37 million Yuan from being transferred, approximately 932,600 Yuan still made its way to the scammer’s account. Authorities are currently working to recover that amount.
In this case, the scammer didn’t directly ask for money. Instead, he pretended to transfer money first and asked the victim to send it to their company’s account. This clever manipulation took advantage of trust and AI technology to deceive the victim.
These new types of AI scams are becoming more common as AI technology becomes more sophisticated. Scammers are using AI to create realistic fake videos and audio recordings that can be used to trick people into giving up their personal information.
To protect yourself from this scam, you should be careful about who you give your personal information to. If you receive a phone call from someone who appears to be your friend, asking for money, tell them you’ll call them back. Then call your friend to verify whether the initial call was legitimate, or ask them to send you an email
You should also be careful about what information you share online. Scammers can use information that you share on social media to target you with scams.
If you think you have been scammed, you should contact your bank or financial institution immediately. You should also report the scam to the authorities.
Remember, if something feels suspicious or too good to be true, it’s always better to double-check and seek advice before taking any action. Stay safe in this digital age!