AI Scammers Exploit Celebrities for Fraud Across Continents

A notable rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for scams has emerged, with scammers leveraging AI to impersonate individuals, including loved ones and celebrities, to deceive victims. A recent case involved Nigerian scammers who duped a French woman, Anne, into believing she was in a romantic relationship with Hollywood star Brad Pitt, ultimately costing her 830,000 euros. The scammers used AI-generated photos and fabricated narratives about medical emergencies to exploit her. Similarly, AI technology has enabled scam artists to mimic the voices of family members, making it increasingly challenging for victims to discern authenticity. In another instance, South African actress Connie Ferguson warned her fans about criminals using AI to create fake video calls in cryptocurrency scams, emphasizing the need for caution. These developments illustrate a worrying trend as scammers enhance their tactics using advanced technologies, prompting calls for greater awareness and protective measures.