SINGAPORE / EuroWire.IO / – INTERPOL introduced a public awareness initiative on Monday, October 19, aimed at highlighting the increasing danger posed by crimes involving AI-produced or manipulated media to deceive the public. The campaign includes three short videos, each crafted with artificial intelligence, demonstrating how synthetic media, often called deepfakes, can be exploited to deceive individuals. The central message encourages viewers to “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” This effort targets both ordinary citizens and law enforcement authorities.
The visual content illustrates scenarios such as a criminal impersonating a boss, the replication of a woman’s voice, and an online fabricated romantic persona. INTERPOL explained that generative AI tools and the large language models powering them are evolving rapidly. These technologies no longer require extensive technical expertise or investment, enabling the creation of highly realistic avatars capable of human-like communication. They can also reconstruct a person’s face or voice from minimal online content.
According to INTERPOL, awareness about the criminal use of deepfakes remains limited among the general population. Initially, synthetic media crimes were primarily seen as threats against public figures, but they now increasingly target private individuals through investment fraud, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography, and disinformation campaigns. Scams may manifest as a video call from a supposed colleague requesting a bank transfer, or as a distress call from a relative. Prior reports have warned that criminal groups use AI to facilitate cybercrime and fraud.
Recognition of warning signs is becoming harder
Toshinobu Yasuhira, Director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, emphasized that “AI is erasing the tell-tale signs of a scam.” He pointed out that common red flags like spelling errors, branding inconsistencies, and clumsy formatting are rapidly disappearing. Yasuhira also noted that anyone, regardless of age, location, or sector, can become a victim. The aim of INTERPOL’s initiatives is to equip law enforcement and the public with knowledge and tools to identify these threats early. UNICEF has also separately linked children’s use of AI to risks related to learning and safety.
The organization states that these scams primarily seek to steal money or sensitive personal data. Several warning signs are listed for the public, including unsolicited contact from unknown individuals or those claiming to be friends, relatives, or trusted entities. Victims are often pressured to act quickly by claims of personal crises or family emergencies. Scammers also manipulate fear, distress, or demands for secrecy to prevent targets from seeking advice. Requests for payments via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards serve as additional indicators of fraud.
Verbal cues and authentication measures recommended
INTERPOL also issued warnings about online relationships that escalate rapidly, with expressions of love and emotional dependence. Targets may be encouraged to shift conversations away from official dating platforms to avoid monitoring and detection systems. The agency advises maintaining calm and skepticism, even when a trusted individual appears to be communicating. It is recommended to end unsolicited calls and verify identities through known, trusted channels. Consulting with others about suspicious interactions is also advised.
Families and close friends are encouraged to establish a safe word or a secret question to confirm identities during dubious calls. It is also suggested to scrutinize the online profiles of new contacts, ensuring that profile images have not been sourced from elsewhere. Activating two-factor authentication on all online accounts is highly recommended. This campaign is part of Project SynthWave PLUS, funded by the Government of Japan, which supports law enforcement efforts across Southeast Asia and beyond in combating threats from synthetic media.