Beware! This AI-powered WhatsApp scam is targeting job seekers
What's the story
A new kind of fraud, where artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to fool people, has been uncovered by a LinkedIn user. The scam involves sophisticated AI-powered bots that imitate human interaction on WhatsApp. These bots are programmed to lure unsuspecting users into fraudulent schemes with seemingly legitimate job offers. The discovery was made by Boobathi Ayyasamy, who detailed his experience on LinkedIn.
Scam details
Bots mimic human interaction with flawless responses
Ayyasamy got a WhatsApp message that appeared to be a regular "easy money" job offer. However, when he engaged with the sender, he noticed something was off. Unlike regular scam messages, which are often filled with typos and awkward phrasing, the responses from this sender were perfect and uniform. This prompted Ayyasamy to believe he was talking to an AI-powered scam bot.
Scale
AI scammers operate on a large scale
AI scammers can work at a massive scale, dealing with thousands of victims at once without getting tired. Their responses vary in an instant, making the conversation more natural and human-like. This level of sophistication makes it difficult for users to spot these scams. A number of LinkedIn users have reported receiving similar messages on WhatsApp, highlighting the widespread nature of this new fraud.
Prevention
How to identify and avoid falling for AI scams
To outsmart these sophisticated scammers, users are advised to be cautious when receiving easy-money job offers on WhatsApp. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Users should also look for scripted replies and ask unexpected questions as AI bots often struggle with complex or abstract topics that aren't pre-programmed.