AI Gives New Playbook For Cybercriminals, Security Incidents On The Rise
AI can craft hyper-realistic deepfakes, produce convincing fake content, and tailor phishing attacks. This makes AI-driven scams more efficient, scalable, and difficult to detect.
You can’t really tell if it’s your banker on the other end of a telephone call; sure sounds like her, or whether the email you’ve just received is from your dad. The app you just downloaded believing it will make your commute better is, surreptitiously passing on information to 3rd parties on “auto” mode, eventually misusing your credit card, and you don’t know whether your cryptocurrency (or any other currency for that matter) is still where you deposited it, even though a statement shows it is.
That’s the world we’ll be increasingly finding ourselves in 2025 and in the years to come, no thanks to the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Cybersecurity firms and experts have given enough warnings, and those like McAfee Corp., a global leader in online protection, continue to do so. Yet, how many of us really bother to read them? After all, digital scams have been around for a while, right? Wrong!
Here’s Why Staying Vigilant Against AI Scams is Crucial
Traditional scams often rely on human deception, such as phishing emails, fake websites, or phone calls, to trick victims into revealing personal information or transferring money. These scams typically require manual effort, which means not only one but many more humans are involved, and the attacks are less sophisticated.
In contrast, AI scams leverage artificial intelligence to automate and enhance these deceptive tactics.
What’s worse is that AI can create hyper-realistic deepfakes, generate convincing fake content, and personalize phishing attacks by analyzing vast amounts of data. This makes AI scams more efficient, scalable, and harder to detect compared to traditional scams. On a scale of 1-10, if manual cyber crimes are a 4, AI scams today are a 7 and have the potential to go to 10!
The only way you can stay ahead is by staying informed and by using advanced security measures to combat these threats.
People need to be aware of AI scams because they are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to create hyper-realistic deepfakes, personalized phishing emails, and convincing fake content that can deceive even the most cautious individuals. They do it by using AI to manipulate trust, steal personal information, and cause financial loss.
AI scams are much like “Kaa”, the sly snake from The Jungle Book, who hypnotizes his victims into a false sense of trust. Just as Kaa tries to manipulate “Bagheera” the panther with soothing words and deceptive charm, AI-powered scamsters try to lure their victims. They analyze vast amounts of data to craft tailored (fake) schemes, making it harder for people to recognize the danger until it’s too late.
So, only by staying informed about these emerging threats and using advanced security measures, individuals can better protect themselves from falling victim to these deceptive tactics
Here’s what McAfee has said in its 2025 cybersecurity predictions about threats posed by cybercriminals exploiting advanced AI technology. The report warns of hyper-realistic deepfakes, live video scams, and AI-driven phishing, smishing, and malware attacks, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and personalized.
In the press statement, Abhishek Karnik, Head of Threat Research at McAfee, emphasized the urgency of staying informed about these emerging threats. "As AI continues to mature and become increasingly accessible, cybercriminals are using it to create scams that are more convincing, personalized, and harder to detect," he said.
Join one of the fastest-growing online communities around AI, “AI For Real”.
The McAfee report outlines several key threats for 2025, including deepfakes that blur the line between real and fake, AI-driven phishing emails that mimic trusted sources, and malicious apps that disguise themselves as legitimate tools. Additionally, the rise of cryptocurrency scams and NFC payment fraud are highlighted as significant concerns.
Here are some AI-driven scams you can watch out for:
Deepfakes Redefine Trust: Scammers are using AI to create highly realistic fake videos or audio recordings. These deepfakes can manipulate trust and deceive people in digital interactions. Imagine receiving a video call from a loved one pleading for financial help, only to discover it was an AI-crafted scam.
AI-Driven Phishing: Cybercriminals are using AI to create more personalized and convincing emails and messages that look like they're from trusted sources. These attacks are expected to grow in sophistication and frequency.
Rogue Apps: Scammers are embedding harmful software into apps that appear legitimate. These malicious apps can disguise themselves as harmless tools, games, or productivity aids, making it easier for hackers to trick unsuspecting consumers.
Cryptocurrency Scams: As cryptocurrency values climb, scammers are targeting consumers' digital wallets with fake investment schemes, phishing attacks, and malware designed to steal wallet keys.
NFC Scams: Scammers are exploiting vulnerabilities in Near Field Communication (NFC) technology used in contactless payments. They may intercept payment credentials and complete unauthorized transactions.
Fake Invoices and Customer Service Scams: Scammers are sending fake invoices or impersonating customer service representatives to steal payments or personal information.
Live Deepfake Videos: Scammers can now impersonate people during live video calls using AI-powered tools, increasing the believability of these scams.
Supply Chain Attacks: Scammers are embedding malicious code into popular software or app updates, posing significant risks to both consumers and businesses.
AI-Assisted Malware: Cybercriminals are using AI-powered tools to create smarter, more adaptive malware that can increase its effectiveness.
People need to be aware of AI scams because these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to create hyper-realistic deepfakes, personalized phishing emails, and convincing fake content that can deceive even the most cautious individuals. AI-powered scams can manipulate trust, steal personal information, and cause financial loss.
Agencies like McAfee advise that to protect against these threats, consumers must double-check unexpected requests, enable two-factor authentication, and use advanced security tools designed to detect and flag suspicious activities.
