Artificial intelligence has arrived at a rapid pace and has reshaped our digital world, but not necessarily for the better. While AI has driven innovations in areas such as customer service, automation and data analytics, it is important to remember that cyber criminals are also using AI to make scams smarter, faster and harder to detect.
With the help of artificial intelligence, criminals are able to create even better phishing emails, *deepfake calls, or fake customer support chat bots. This new wave of cyber threats is more dangerous than ever before. Whether you are an individual user or a business owner, understanding how these scams work and how to prevent them is essential to keeping your information and money safe.
*A deepfake is a video containing real-looking live images and sound, which has been artificially produced by combining images and videos using machine learning artificial intelligence.
Cyber criminals can use artificial intelligence to personalize and target attacks with incredible precision, here are a few examples of the methods cyber criminals will use in 2025.
Phishing has always been one of the most common cyber threats, but now criminals can use artificial intelligence to create emails that look exactly like legitimate business correspondence. New AI tools can generate natural language, which allows scammers to produce grammatically correct, highly personalized messages that bypass traditional spam filters.
You receive an email that appears to come from your company's human resources department. The message uses your real information, and the language and sender are in the style of an "official" organization. The message asks you to download a file, the title of which may be, for example, "Internal Company Communication".
Did you know that artificial intelligence can copy voices with astonishing realism after analyzing just a few seconds of audio? Voice cloning scams target both individuals and businesses, tricking employees into making bank transfers or sharing confidential information with criminals.
The scammer calls pretending to be the CEO and asks for "urgent" action in a cloned voice. The "CEO" may request urgent payment of an invoice while also telling you that the work must be done immediately and that he must not be disturbed under any circumstances because he is going to an important meeting.
Artificial intelligence-based “customer service” chatbots have become one of the favorite tools of cybercriminals. Fake customer service agents can appear online in ads, pop-ups, or messaging apps, mimicking legitimate customer support from well-known brands like Apple, PayPal, or Microsoft.
A fake customer service chat bot may claim to be able to "recover your account," but instead ask for your password or install malware on your machine.
Cyber criminals are using artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos that exploit voices and appearances to create lifelike, but completely fake, content. Scammers spread these videos on social media to promote fake investments or charity campaigns, often claiming to be endorsed by celebrities.
A deepfake of a famous entrepreneur advertising a "limited-time crypto offer" could scam thousands before it's flagged as a fake.
Unusual urgency or pressure: “Act now or lose the offer!”
Minor inconsistencies in sender addresses, domains, or logos.
Requests to process private information or payments through unknown channels.
Strange tone, timing, or wording that doesn't match the source.
Classic warning sign: “Too good to be true” offers!
Check any suspicious messages through official websites or direct phone calls.
Cyber security is no longer just an IT issue, it is everyone's responsibility. By staying vigilant and keeping your defenses up to date, you can protect yourself from AI scams.
While AI helps scammers, it also strengthens our defenses. Today's cyber security tools increasingly rely on machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect suspicious patterns before humans can.
Modern email protection systems analyze thousands of features in messages using artificial intelligence: from message tone and metadata to domain history, to identify potential phishing attempts.
Artificial intelligence tools can detect visual and audio errors that reveal manipulated media content, making them essential tools for journalists, businesses, and authorities to verify content.
Up-to-date browsers, antivirus software, and secure DNS services include real-time phishing detection that blocks malicious links and fake websites before they load.
Even if passwords are compromised, MFA and biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) add an extra layer of security that is difficult for criminals to bypass to gain access to the internal network.
Cyber security companies are using AI for prevention – they are deploying models that learn from new threats and automatically adapt to detect AI-generated attacks in real time.
All images in the article were created using artificial intelligence.
AI-powered scams use AI tools like chat bots, voice cloning, and deepfake videos to trick people into sharing personal or financial information. These scams look more realistic than traditional fraud attempts, making cyber security awareness more important than ever.
Look for subtle clues like unusual urgency, minor spelling or domain name errors, and suspicious links. Even if messages sound professional, always verify them through official channels. Using phishing detection tools and email filters can also prevent many AI-generated attacks.
Companies should maintain next-generation firewalls, install regular security updates, and train employees to recognize AI-based social manipulation. Implementing multi-factor authentication and AI-based threat detection systems can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches.
Advanced AI detection software analyzes pixels, tone of voice, and behavioral patterns to detect manipulated media. Many cyber security tools now use machine learning to automatically flag suspicious activity, helping users and organizations identify deepfake scams.
• Check all messages or calls before sharing information.
• Keep your software and firewall up to date.
• Use two-factor authentication (MFA) on important accounts.
• Be careful with social media links and attachments.
• Stay up to date with the latest AI scam trends and prevention tips.