SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – INTERPOL announced a public awareness initiative on Monday, October 19, addressing the rising threat of crimes involving AI-generated or AI-modified media to deceive the public. The campaign features three brief videos, all produced using artificial intelligence. These videos demonstrate the potential misuse of synthetic media, often called deepfakes, to trick individuals. The main message emphasizes a cautious approach with the phrase “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.”. The campaign aims to educate both ordinary citizens and law enforcement authorities.
The videos illustrate scenarios such as a scammer impersonating a boss, cloning a woman’s voice, and creating an online fake romantic profile. INTERPOL pointed out that generative AI tools and the large language models behind them are evolving rapidly. These resources no longer demand extensive technical expertise or large investments. They can generate highly realistic avatars capable of human-like speech and can even reproduce a person’s face or voice from minimal online content.
According to INTERPOL, public awareness about how deepfakes are exploited in criminal activity remains limited. Initially, synthetic media crimes were viewed primarily as threats to public figures. Now, they increasingly target private individuals through investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation campaigns. A scam might involve a video call from a supposed colleague requesting a bank transfer or a call from a distressed relative. Past reports have warned that criminal groups use AI to facilitate cybercrime and fraud.
Traditional warning signs are fading away
Toshinobu Yasuhira, Director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, stated “AI is erasing the tell-tale signs of a scam.” He explained that indicators like spelling mistakes, inconsistent branding, and awkward formatting are rapidly becoming less common red flags. Anyone can fall prey, regardless of age, location, or profession, according to Yasuhira. INTERPOL’s efforts are designed to equip law enforcement and the public with knowledge and tools to identify these dangers early. UNICEF has also separately linked children’s use of AI to learning and safety concerns.
INTERPOL highlighted that the primary goal of these scams is to steal money or sensitive personal data. Several warning signs are listed for public awareness. These include unsolicited contact from strangers or individuals claiming to be friends, relatives, or trusted organizations. Victims are often pressured to act swiftly, citing personal emergencies or family crises. Scammers rely on fear, distress, or demands for secrecy to prevent targets from seeking advice from others. Requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards are also indicators of potential scams.
Recommendations include safe words and two-factor authentication
INTERPOL also warned about online relationships that develop too rapidly, with declarations of love and emotional dependence. Targets may be encouraged to move conversations off official dating platforms to avoid detection. The organization recommends remaining calm and skeptical, even if you believe you are communicating with someone trustworthy. It is advised to hang up on unsolicited calls and contact individuals through verified channels. Discussing suspicious situations with others is also encouraged.
Families and close friends are encouraged to agree on a secret word or question to verify identities during suspicious calls. It is also recommended to verify the online profiles of new contacts and ensure profile photos are not stolen from elsewhere. Activating two-factor authentication across 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 against threats posed by synthetic media.