Hello! I'm Shemihaza, a Guardian (Sentinel). While the evolution of digital technology is wonderful, unfortunately, there are also malicious individuals who seek to deceive us. Recently, scams abusing AI have become particularly sophisticated. To prevent your loved ones from unknowingly falling victim to scams, today I'll discuss the terrifying tactics of AI scams and measures to protect your precious family.
What if that voice and face are 'fake'? The Terrifying Tactics of AI Scams
- ▸① Stealing trust through sophisticated 'impersonation': AI can create incredibly realistic voices and faces of loved ones, colleagues, or celebrities. Unlike traditional scams, these appear so convincing even in video calls that it's difficult to suspect they're fake. In 2024, an incident occurred where a staggering $25.6 million (approximately 3.8 billion Japanese Yen) was extorted through a deepfake video call impersonating a company executive.
- ▸② Posing as an emergency to rush your judgment: Scammers fabricate urgent situations, such as 'I've been in an accident' or 'I urgently need money for a sudden transaction,' which make you want to help, giving you no time to think. They aim to impair your rational judgment and trick you into transferring money.
- ▸③ Publicly available information can also be exploited: Even short audio or video clips that you or your family post on social media can be used by AI to learn and forge voices and faces. There's a risk that your personal information could be used in scams without your knowledge.
Checkpoints to Protect Your Family
- ✓If a sudden call mentions 'money,' hang up and always verify with the person through another communication method (such as their usual phone number or a social media message).
- ✓Agree on a secret 'password' with family and close friends, and if money is discussed in an emergency, ask for or confirm that password.
- ✓Check if you are oversharing videos or audio on social media where your face or voice is clearly identifiable.
- ✓Discard the misconception that 'seeing their face means it's safe,' and do not easily trust something if you feel even the slightest sense of unease.
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Where to Seek Help When in Trouble
If you ever feel 'this might be a scam,' don't keep it to yourself; please consult someone immediately. The Consumer Hotline (188) and the Police Consultation Dial (#9110) are reliable contacts to protect you and your family. If you suspect unauthorized use of your credit card, contact your card company immediately to suspend its use.