The FBI is warning Arkansas residents about the latest scam tactics being used by scammers who are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to gain access to a person’s money.
Scam Artists are Using AI to Threaten Individuals
By using the latest AI technology, scam artists can exploit unsuspecting victims by gaining their trust through manipulation and going as far as threatening to shoot a family member if their demands are not met.
Recently, a TikTok video went viral with over 2 million views. The woman in the video explains the scare tactics used by a scammer and the threat they received for one of their family members if they didn’t comply with the scammer’s request to transfer money via Zelle.
Alicia Corde, a Special Agent with the FBI, tells KATV, “We’ve seen people lose their life savings as a result of these efforts, and it’s devastating.”
Most targeted individuals are 60 and older, and right now, cryptocurrency scams are at an all-time high in Arkansas. In 2024, 4,000 Arkansans fell victim to scams, resulting in $50 million in losses.
What You Need to Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
The FBI is working diligently to catch these scammers, but many are overseas, which makes things a little more difficult. People need to remain vigilant if something doesn’t feel right; it’s most likely a scam. Get some verification of the person on the phone, a text you receive, or an email. Don’t click on an email if it looks suspicious. Cyber criminals have become bolder, and with the use of artificial intelligence, they can use more manipulation tactics that seem realistic, preying on the victims’ emotions…