Fraud investigator warns: AI now automating scams
Advances in artificial intelligence are transforming the fraud landscape, enabling scammers to automate their operations and deceive victims with increasingly sophisticated tactics, according to fraud investigator and certified examiner Ransford Nana Addo Junior.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he said online fraud has evolved beyond traditional schemes carried out by individuals, with some criminal networks now deploying AI-powered systems capable of interacting directly with potential victims.
According to him, these tools can sustain conversations, respond to questions in real time and mimic human behaviour, making it far more difficult for unsuspecting users to recognise when they are dealing with a scam.
He noted that the growing use of technology has accelerated the professionalisation of fraud, with criminal groups operating in structured networks that resemble legitimate organisations. These groups, he said, recruit and train members, assign roles and establish targets aimed at maximising financial returns.
Drawing from previous investigations, Addo Junior said some scam syndicates maintain formal hierarchies and coordinated operations, with teams responsible for identifying targets, creating deceptive online platforms and guiding victims through elaborate schemes.
He explained that fraud has undergone a significant transformation over the past several decades. While earlier scams often relied on chance encounters and face-to-face interactions, the expansion of internet access allowed criminals to organise across borders and reach larger numbers of victims with relative anonymity.
The investigator warned that online shopping, digital payments and social media platforms have created new opportunities for fraudsters to exploit consumers seeking convenience. In many cases, he said, criminals insert themselves between legitimate businesses and customers, collecting payments without delivering goods or services.
He also highlighted the range of scams currently circulating online, including investment fraud, romance scams, fake recruitment offers, online shopping deception and pyramid-style schemes.
Despite growing public awareness, Addo Junior believes the true scale of the problem remains hidden because many victims choose not to report their experiences.
He argued that embarrassment, fear and a lack of confidence in reporting systems often prevent victims from coming forward, allowing fraud networks to continue operating undetected.
As digital technologies become more advanced, he urged the public to exercise greater caution when sharing personal information, transferring money online or engaging with unfamiliar individuals and platforms, warning that modern scams are becoming increasingly convincing and difficult to identify.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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