In recent years, AI face-swapping and voice cloning have been exploited by fraudsters. With only a small amount of photos, audio or video, scammers can create highly realistic impersonations of relatives, supervisors, customer service agents and even law enforcement officers.

1. Common AI fraud tactics

Impersonating relatives or supervisors: using face-swap or voice-clone technology in video calls or voice messages, the fraudster claims a sudden illness, urgent financial need or asks the victim to make a payment on their behalf.

Impersonating customer service or banks: using phrases such as unusual account activity, refund processing or credit repair, the fraudster tricks the victim into clicking links, installing screen-sharing software or disclosing verification codes.

Impersonating police, prosecutors or courts: forged credentials, warrants and investigation videos are used to demand cooperation with a fund review or transfer to a so-called safe account. Any request to transfer money into a safe account is fraud.

Fake investments and AI wealth management: forged platforms, profit screenshots and expert videos lure victims with AI quantitative trading or internal projects. After small returns, the victim is induced to invest a large amount that cannot be withdrawn.

2. Key prevention measures

For any call, message or video involving money transfers, loans or verification codes, do not rely only on the face and voice. Immediately call back on a known official number or confirm with family members or colleagues.

Family members can agree on a personal passphrase. You can also ask the caller to turn their head, wave, or cover their face. Although face-swap technology imitates appearance, real-time movement, lighting and angle changes may still reveal flaws.

Do not upload facial images, voiceprints, ID photos or other sensitive information to unknown platforms. Do not enable screen sharing carelessly, click unknown links or install apps from unknown sources. Set reasonable card limits and enable delayed settlement for large transfers.

Stay calm if you hear words such as criminal suspicion, account freeze or safe account. Law enforcement does not handle cases by phone or online and does not establish safe accounts. You may install the National Anti-Fraud Center app from an official app store and enable alerts.

3. What to do if you are defrauded

If money has already been transferred, stop further operations immediately. Keep chat records, call recordings, transfer receipts and the recipient account information. Call 110 as soon as possible or contact the anti-fraud hotline 96110. The sooner you report, the better the chance of recovering funds.

Laws such as the Anti-Telecom Network Fraud Law and the Personal Information Protection Law clearly regulate telecom fraud and personal information protection. If you suffer fraud or find that your personal information has been misused, report it to public security and regulatory authorities and protect your rights under law.