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Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, helping people write, communicate, create content and solve problems. However, the same technology can also be misused by criminals to make scams more convincing.

In 2026, scammers can use AI to generate realistic voices, images, videos, messages, fake profiles and websites. These tools can make familiar scams appear more professional and personalized.

The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report included a dedicated section on artificial intelligence for the first time. The FBI recorded 22,364 complaints involving AI, with reported losses of more than $893 million. The agency says criminals are using AI-generated profiles, personalized conversations, voice cloning, fake identification documents and convincing videos in fraud schemes.

Understanding these techniques can help consumers recognize suspicious activity and make safer decisions online.

1. AI Voice-Cloning Scams

AI voice cloning allows scammers to create audio that sounds like another person.

For example, a criminal could obtain a short audio recording of someone’s voice from social media or another publicly available source and use it to imitate that person.

The scammer might then contact a family member and claim there is an emergency requiring immediate financial assistance.

The FTC has specifically warned about voice-cloning scams involving fake family emergencies.

How to stay safe

Don’t rely solely on a familiar voice.

If someone unexpectedly asks for money, end the call and contact the person using a phone number you already know. You can also verify the situation through another family member.

2. AI-Generated Celebrity Scams

Scammers can use AI-generated images, videos and audio to make it appear that a celebrity or public figure is promoting a product or investment.

A fraudulent advertisement might appear to show a well-known personality recommending:

An investment platform
Cryptocurrency
A giveaway
An online business
A financial product
A health-related product

A recognizable face or voice does not automatically prove that an endorsement is genuine.

Before acting on an offer involving a celebrity, look for confirmation through the person’s legitimate channels or independent reputable sources.

3. AI-Powered Investment Scams

Investment fraud can become more convincing when criminals use AI to create professional-looking websites, messages, presentations and fabricated testimonials.

Some fraudulent platforms may even display dashboards showing supposed profits.

Consumers should be particularly careful with opportunities promising:

Guaranteed returns
No financial risk
Extremely high profits
Guaranteed daily income
Secret AI trading systems
Pressure to deposit money immediately

The FBI’s 2025 report says investment fraud remained the primary driver of reported cyber-enabled fraud losses.

The use of the word “AI” does not make an investment opportunity legitimate.

Research the company independently and verify relevant regulatory information before making financial decisions.

4. AI Romance and Dating Scams

AI can help criminals create realistic profiles and maintain conversations with multiple people.

A fraudulent dating profile may contain:

AI-generated photographs
Fabricated personal information
AI-written messages
Fake social media accounts
A carefully developed personal story

After building trust, the scammer may ask for financial assistance.

The FBI’s 2025 report identified AI-linked confidence and romance scams among the fraud categories in which AI was being used.

Protect yourself

Be cautious if an online relationship becomes focused on money, investments or financial emergencies.

Never send money simply because someone you’ve met online says they need help.

5. AI-Generated Phishing Messages

AI can help scammers create emails and text messages that sound more natural and professional.

A fraudulent message may appear to come from your:

Bank
Employer
University
Delivery company
Government agency
Technology provider
Online retailer

The message might ask you to click a link, confirm your identity or resolve a supposed account problem.

Safer approach

Don’t use links or phone numbers supplied in unexpected messages.

Instead, visit the organization’s official website directly or use its legitimate mobile application.

The FTC provides additional guidance on recognizing and avoiding impersonation scams.

6. Fake AI Customer-Service Agents

Scammers can also imitate customer-service representatives through websites, social media, email or telephone calls.

They may claim there is a problem with your:

Bank account
Online shopping order
Subscription
Cryptocurrency account
Computer
Payment
Delivery

The fake representative may then ask for passwords, authentication codes, payment details or remote access to your device.

Remember

Never give an unexpected caller your password or one-time security code simply because they claim to be from customer support.

If you need assistance, contact the company through its official website or application.

7. AI Government Impersonation Scams

Scammers may use convincing messages or synthetic voices to impersonate government employees or other officials.

They may claim that you owe money, have an outstanding fine or need to resolve a legal or administrative matter.

The goal is often to create urgency and pressure the target into making a payment or revealing personal information.

Government impersonation is already an established form of fraud, and the FTC advises consumers to independently verify unexpected claims.

Stay safe

Don’t allow a threatening phone call or message to force you into making an immediate financial decision.

Find the agency’s official contact information independently and verify the claim.

8. AI-Enhanced Fake Job Offers

AI can make fraudulent recruitment attempts appear more professional.

Scammers can generate realistic:

Job descriptions
Recruiter messages
Interview questions
Company profiles
Employment documents
Follow-up emails

A fake recruiter may eventually request money for equipment, training, certification or other expenses.

The FTC lists fake recruiters among common impersonation scams.

Warning signs

Be cautious when:

A job promises employment without a normal recruitment process.
A recruiter asks for money before you start.
You are pressured to purchase equipment from a particular seller.
A recruiter requests sensitive financial information unusually early.
You receive a check and are instructed to send part of the money elsewhere.

Research the employer independently before proceeding.

9. AI-Generated Fake Profiles and Images

AI can create realistic-looking photographs and other synthetic content.

Criminals may use fabricated images to build fake identities on social media, dating platforms, marketplaces and other websites.

This means that seeing a convincing profile photograph is not enough to establish someone’s identity.

Look for consistency in the person’s information and online activity.

Be cautious if an account:

Appears recently created
Provides inconsistent information
Uses photographs that appear elsewhere online
Avoids reasonable identity verification
Quickly begins requesting money or personal information

The FBI says AI-generated synthetic content is becoming easier to create and increasingly difficult to detect.

10. AI-Assisted Fake Websites and Advertisements

AI can help criminals create website content, product descriptions, images and advertisements quickly.

A fraudulent website may look professional while still being operated by an untrustworthy seller.

Potential warning signs include:

Unrealistic discounts
Fake customer reviews
Fabricated testimonials
Pressure to purchase quickly
Limited or suspicious contact information
Unclear refund policies
Unusual payment requirements

The FBI has also warned about criminals using search-engine advertisements to direct people to websites that imitate legitimate businesses.

Before making a purchase, check the website address carefully and research the business independently.

Why AI Scams Can Be Difficult to Recognize

AI does not necessarily create an entirely new type of fraud. Instead, it can make existing scams easier to personalize and scale.

A phishing email can be written more naturally. A fake profile can look more convincing. A voice scam can sound familiar. A fraudulent advertisement can appear professionally produced.

The FBI says AI-enabled synthetic content is becoming easier to produce and harder to detect.

For this reason, consumers should focus on verification rather than appearance.

A realistic voice, photograph or video should not be considered proof of identity.

Common Warning Signs of AI Scams

Watch for these warning signs:

Unexpected urgency

Someone insists that you must act immediately.

Pressure to keep the situation secret

You are discouraged from speaking to family members, friends, your bank or another trusted person.

Requests for unusual payment methods

The person asks for cryptocurrency, gift cards or other payment methods that can be difficult to reverse.

The FTC specifically warns that legitimate organizations do not demand government payments through gift cards.

Requests for security codes

Someone unexpectedly asks for a one-time authentication code.

Guaranteed financial returns

An investment is presented as completely risk-free or guaranteed.

Unexpected requests for personal information

You are asked for passwords, identification documents or sensitive financial information without a clear reason.

A familiar voice or face is being used as proof

AI can produce convincing synthetic media, so independent verification is still important.

How to Protect Yourself From AI Scams in 2026

Take your time

If a message or phone call creates pressure, pause before responding.

The FBI recommends taking a moment to assess suspicious situations rather than allowing pressure to determine your decision.

Verify independently

Use contact information you already know to be legitimate.

Don’t rely on links, phone numbers or email addresses supplied by an unexpected message.

Protect your accounts

Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available.

Limit unnecessary personal information

Think carefully about the information you publicly share online, particularly information that could potentially be reused for impersonation.

Don’t trust appearances alone

A professional-looking website, realistic photograph, familiar voice or convincing video does not guarantee authenticity.

Ask someone you trust

If a request involves money or sensitive information, discuss it with someone you trust before taking action.

What to Do If You Encounter an AI Scam

If you think you’ve been targeted, don’t panic.

If you have already sent money, contact your bank, card provider or payment service as soon as possible.

If you provided a password, change it immediately. If you used that password elsewhere, update those accounts too.

If you provided sensitive account information, secure the affected account and monitor it for unusual activity.

If you gave a scammer access to your computer or phone, follow reputable recovery guidance and consider getting assistance from a trusted cybersecurity professional.

The FTC’s current consumer guidance explains what to do after paying a scammer, sharing personal information or giving someone access to a computer or phone.

For U.S. consumers, scams can be reported through ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center also accepts reports involving internet-enabled crime.

Readers outside the United States should report scams to the appropriate consumer-protection, financial or law-enforcement authority in their country.

Final Thoughts

AI is a powerful and useful technology, but criminals can also misuse it to make familiar scams appear more believable.

Voice cloning, AI-generated profiles, fake advertisements, phishing messages and synthetic videos are examples of how technology can be incorporated into fraud.

The best defense is not trying to identify every piece of AI-generated content. Instead, develop the habit of slowing down, checking information independently and refusing unexpected requests for money or sensitive information.

If something feels urgent or unusual, take a moment to verify it before taking action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AI really clone someone’s voice?

Yes. Voice-cloning technology can reproduce a person’s voice from a relatively short audio sample. The FTC has warned consumers about scammers using cloned voices in fake emergency and impersonation schemes.

How can I identify an AI-generated scam?

There is no single sign that proves something is AI-generated. Instead, look at the entire situation. Be cautious about urgency, unusual payment requests, requests for sensitive information and claims that cannot be independently verified.

Are AI investment platforms automatically scams?

No. AI is legitimately used in many industries, including financial services. However, claiming to use AI does not prove that an investment opportunity is legitimate. Research the company independently before investing.

What should I do if I receive a call from someone who sounds like a family member?

Don’t rely on the voice alone. Hang up and contact the family member through a phone number you already know. The FTC recommends independently verifying unexpected emergency requests.

Can AI create fake websites?

AI can assist in generating website content and other digital material. Criminals can also create websites that imitate legitimate businesses. Check the website address and research unfamiliar businesses before providing payment or personal information.

Where can I report an online scam?

U.S. consumers can report scams to the FTC through ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Internet-related crimes can also be reported to the FBI’s IC3.

Helpful External Resources

For readers who want additional information, these authoritative resources are useful: