The AI boom isn’t just exacerbating a RAM and storage crisis, but its inception has allowed scammers a whole new layer of creativity to deprive innocent Americans of their hard-earned money. According to the latest statistics, AI-fueled scams are approaching $1 billion, and if you thought there was a countermeasure being prepared, we have terrible news for you.
$900 million in AI-related scams were lost in 2025 alone, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg
Using AI for impersonation appears to be the approach of choice for scammers, as the elderly who aren’t properly versed with this technology will typically fall victim. Statistics shared by the FBI revealed that 22,000 incidents were logged in 2025, and some victims may not have even filed a report for various reasons, suggesting the number of individuals affected by these scams could be higher.
A few examples are a woman in California who lost $5,000 when AI was used by a scammer to impersonate her daughter’s voice. In another instance, an Ohio resident was deprived of $1.5 million after fake FBI agents convinced her to part with such a ludicrous sum of money. While online scams are as old as the internet itself, AI enables scammers to develop believable techniques that help unsuspecting individuals fall prey.
By impersonating someone’s voice, Michael Machtinger, deputy assistant director of the FBI Cyber Division, has said that these fraudulent activities “can look very official and very legitimate to even the most trained individuals.” As AI continues to improve, Jake Braun, executive director of the Cyber Policy Initiative at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, says criminals will be able to adopt even more sophisticated methods to milk money out of people.
“The AI companies like to say that today’s AI is the worst AI you will ever use. What’s also true is that these are the lowest number of AI complaints we are ever going to see.”
In addition to targeting the elderly, teenagers are also in the crosshairs of scammers since such people are more carefree and are prone to making mistakes without consequences. The FBI reports that it has received 31,000 complaints from people under 20, a 74 percent increase from 2024.
Countering these scammers is difficult, but people’s vigilance will play a pivotal role in the age of AI
With software allowing individuals to sound exactly like someone else, it’s going to become really difficult to deduce the identity of people whom you can only hear. Then again, a person’s vigilance is perhaps the best deterrent to counter these growing AI-related scams. One way Americans can protect themselves is by verifying the identity of the person.
Assuming you’re communicating with your daughter, ask the person on the other end questions that only you and your daughter would know the answers to. Additionally, if someone contacts you asking for money, it’s a good idea to take a step back, according to the FBI. The Navy Federal Credit Union recommends that people limit their online activities and the amount of personal information they share.
If you have fallen victim, it’s generally good practice that you notify your bank immediately while also filing a report on IC3.gov.
News Source: The Independent
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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