AI Scams Are Becoming Harder to Spot: How to Protect Yourself Online
Artificial intelligence is making it easier for criminals to create convincing scams, from fake online shops and realistic-looking websites to cloned voices and deepfake videos. Consumers are being warned to verify what they see and hear before sending money or sharing personal information.
According to the UK’s National Trading Standards, criminals are increasingly using AI tools to make existing fraud techniques more convincing, personalised and easier to carry out on a large scale.
The warning highlights a growing challenge for internet users: a professional-looking website, a well-written message or a familiar voice may no longer be enough to prove that someone is genuine.
How Criminals Are Using AI to Scam People
1. Fake Online Shops and Websites
Scammers can use AI to build websites that appear professional and trustworthy. Some pretend to be family-owned businesses selling locally made products, using attractive images and descriptions to convince shoppers to place orders.
Victims may receive nothing after paying or discover that the product delivered is significantly different from what was advertised.
Before buying from an unfamiliar retailer, check its contact details, address, independent reviews, returns policy and payment options. Be cautious of unusually large discounts and websites that create pressure to buy immediately.
2. AI Voice Cloning and Fake Emergency Calls
Criminals can use recordings of a person's voice to create convincing imitations. They may then contact a relative or friend, claiming to be in an emergency and urgently needing money.
Because the voice may sound familiar, a victim can feel pressured to act without checking the story.
If someone calls asking for urgent financial help, end the call and contact that person using a phone number you already know. You can also ask a private question or agree on a family verification phrase that would be difficult for an outsider to guess.
3. Deepfake Videos and Fake Identities
Deepfake technology can create videos or audio that appear to show real people saying or doing things they never did.
Fraudsters may impersonate public figures, business executives, friends or relatives to promote fraudulent investments, request payments or persuade people to disclose sensitive information.
Do not rely solely on a video call, photograph or voice recording as proof of identity. Verify important claims through an independent, trusted channel before taking action.
4. Personalised Phishing Messages
AI can help criminals generate large numbers of convincing emails, text messages and social media posts. These messages may use a person's name, refer to a familiar company or claim that an account needs immediate attention.
Some messages attempt to steal passwords, bank details, verification codes or other personal information.
Avoid clicking unexpected links. Instead, open the organisation's official website or application yourself and check whether the message is genuine.
5. Romance and Investment Scams
AI may also help scammers maintain lengthy conversations, remember personal details and create believable online identities.
In romance scams, criminals may build emotional relationships before asking for money. In investment scams, they may use fake testimonials, fabricated profits or impersonations of well-known investors to encourage people to transfer funds.
Be especially cautious when someone you have met online asks for money, requests cryptocurrency transfers or promises unusually high returns with little or no risk.
Why Spelling Mistakes Are No Longer a Reliable Warning
In the past, misspellings and poor grammar were often treated as signs of fraudulent messages. AI can now produce polished, personalised text, making those clues less dependable.
A message that looks professional can still be fraudulent. Internet users should focus on what the sender is asking them to do, whether the request can be independently verified and whether there is pressure to act quickly.
Practical Ways to Protect Yourself
The following precautions can help reduce the risk of falling victim to AI-assisted fraud:
- Pause before paying: Be suspicious of urgent requests for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or bank transfers.
- Verify the sender: Contact a friend, relative, company or employer through a trusted phone number or official website.
- Check website addresses: Look for misleading spellings, unfamiliar domains and contact information that cannot be independently verified.
- Protect sensitive information: Never disclose passwords, PINs or one-time verification codes to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- Use secure payment methods: Where possible, choose payment methods with appropriate buyer protection and avoid irreversible transfers to unknown recipients.
- Secure your accounts: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Question investment promises: Research financial firms independently and be wary of guaranteed profits or pressure to invest immediately.
- Talk to family members: Agree on a simple way to verify emergency requests, especially those involving urgent financial assistance.
What Nigerians Should Watch Out For
AI-assisted scams can affect people in Nigeria through WhatsApp messages, Facebook advertisements, impersonation calls, fake online shops and fraudulent investment promotions.
A video featuring a celebrity, businessperson or public official is not necessarily genuine. Before investing or making a payment, check the claim against the person's verified channels and the organisation's official website.
If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank or payment provider immediately to report the transaction and ask what protective steps are available. Preserve relevant messages, receipts, account details and screenshots as evidence. You can also report suspected cybercrime to the appropriate Nigerian law-enforcement authorities.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence can be used for legitimate and beneficial purposes, but criminals can also exploit it to make fraud more convincing. As these methods develop, careful verification becomes increasingly important.
Before sending money, clicking a suspicious link or sharing private information, stop and check the facts independently. A familiar voice, convincing video or professional-looking website should never replace proper verification.
Disclaimer: This article is for general public awareness and educational purposes. It does not guarantee that any particular method will identify every scam.
Sources
- BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c60rl1xvjv89o
- National Trading Standards: https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/half-of-brits-struggle-to-tell-whats-genuine-online-as-ai-supercharges-scams/
- Africa Check: https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/blog/guide-scam-trends-watch-2026-and-how-stay-safe-online
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