Dutch government continued SyRI welfare fraud profiling after ban
The Dutch government deployed the SyRI algorithm to profile welfare recipients in low-income neighborhoods, despite a 2020 court ruling that the system violated EU human rights. The algorithm flagged thousands of parents for fraud based on illegal risk factors such as dual nationality, leading to false accusations, bankruptcy, and trauma. The government has announced an external review of the practices.
- Company involved
- Ministry of Social Affairs of the Netherlands
- AI system involved
- SyRI
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Gittemeier v. Liberty Mutual Personal Insurance Company (E.D. Missouri): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Costs Order + Fine; One Attorney…
The AI system generated fictitious legal citations in a summary judgment motion, misleading the court and opposing counsel.
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Attempted deepfake CEO voicemail fraud against an unnamed technology company
An attacker used synthetic audio deepfake to leave a voicemail impersonating the CEO of a technology company, asking an employee to call back to finalize an urgent business deal. The employee found it suspicious and referred the matter to the legal department, avoiding any loss. Nisos analyzed the audio and found inconsistencies in pitch and tone.
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Europol cracks down on network using deepfake ads for crypto fraud
Europol and national authorities in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, and Israel arrested two people in November as part of a crackdown on a criminal network that used fraudulent online ads and AI-generated deepfake videos to lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investment platforms. The network allegedly laundered 700 million euros ($816 million) through the scheme, which Europol described as operating on an 'industrial' scale. The arrests were the second phase of an operation that had already led to nine arrests in October. The article does not name the suspects or firms targeted.
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Art gallery owner loses business after AI deepfake scam impersonating Pierce Brosnan
Simone Simms, owner of a Nottingham art gallery, was deceived by scammers using AI deepfake technology to impersonate actor Pierce Brosnan. She exchanged messages and had video calls with the fake Brosnan, leading her to send £3,000 and organise an exhibition, selling £20,000 in tickets. After the real Brosnan issued a cease-and-desist, she refunded the tickets and was forced to close her gallery, losing her £30,000 business.
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Erin Booker v. The Kroger Co. (N.D. Georgia): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Monetary Sanctions; CLE
The court imposed monetary sanctions and continuing legal education requirements on plaintiff's counsel for using AI-generated fake legal authorities in a court filing.
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AI deepfake fraud dupes man into transferring $612,000
A man surnamed Guo, a legal representative of a technology company in Fuzhou, received a video call from someone impersonating his friend using AI to mimic the friend's face and voice. The fake friend asked Guo to transfer 4.3 million yuan to a bank account, claiming it was for a bid. Guo transferred the money and later discovered the fraud when he contacted his real friend. Police stopped part of the transfer and are investigating.
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California regulator accuses Maxpread Technologies of using AI-generated fake CEO to scam investors
Maxpread Technologies allegedly used an AI-generated avatar to pose as its CEO in a YouTube video to deceive investors. The California DFPI issued cease and desist letters to Maxpread and four other companies for offering unqualified securities and making false promises. The regulator claims the companies promised high daily returns using AI trading, but these claims were false. Maxpread did not respond to requests for comment.
- Company involved
- Maxpread Technologies
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TOV Realty, LLC v. Suarez; Kosel Equity, LLC v. MacGregor (SC Connecticut): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, 6 hours CLE;…
The AI generated legal briefs containing fabricated citations, which were submitted to the Connecticut Supreme Court.
- Company involved
- GLG Law LLC
- AI system involved
- ChatGPT
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Face recognition bypass used to register shell companies for tax fraud in Shanghai
In a major tax fraud case in Shanghai, criminals used face recognition cracking techniques to register shell companies on government platforms. They purchased high-resolution photos and used apps to create fake videos, then used modified phones to bypass face recognition authentication. The scheme resulted in fraudulent invoices totaling over 500 million yuan. The case was prosecuted by the Shanghai procuratorate.
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In re Rosslyn2016, LLC, et al. (S.D. Texas (Bankruptcy)): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, CLE on generative AI; Civil Contempt;…
The AI generated fabricated legal citations that were submitted to the bankruptcy court.
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Deepfake videos using Synthesia spread disinformation in Mali
Fake videos with computer-generated voiceovers and deepfake avatars have been circulating on social media in Mali. One video, created using the Synthesia platform, shows a fake news presenter claiming France paid Malian parties to boycott a national consultation. The video was seen over 900,000 times on Facebook. Synthesia banned the user who created the video for violating its terms of service.
- AI system involved
- Synthesia
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Hong Kong police arrest six in fraud syndicate using AI deepfake for loan scams
Hong Kong police arrested six people in a crackdown on a fraud syndicate that used AI deepfake technology to create doctored images for loan scams targeting banks and money-lenders. The case marks the first known instance of scammers using deepfake to fleece financial agencies. The police reminded the public to be aware of signs of deepfakes in video calls.
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Deepfake video promotes fake Petro-Canada investment scheme
A Facebook ad used deepfake videos of Justin Trudeau and CBC anchor Aarti Pole to promote a fake Petro-Canada investment platform. Suncor, Petro-Canada's parent company, confirmed the offer was not legitimate. The manipulated videos were created using AI and did not air on CBC.
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City analyst Michael Hewson cloned in AI deepfake scam on social media
A deepfake video using AI to impersonate City analyst Michael Hewson circulated on Facebook and Instagram, directing users to a WhatsApp group promising undervalued investments. The scam used fear-of-missing-out tactics to lure victims. Hewson publicly disavowed the video and reported it to Meta, expressing anger.
- Company involved
- Meta
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Spanish police bust $20M AI-powered investment scam
Spanish law enforcement, collaborating with international authorities, dismantled a $20 million investment scam that used AI-driven algorithms to deceive individuals and organizations. Six suspects were detained and assets, including luxury cars and cryptocurrency, were seized. The article does not report any compensation for victims.
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OnlyFake site uses neural networks to generate fake IDs, bypasses OKX verification
An underground website called OnlyFake uses neural networks to generate realistic photos of fake IDs for $15. The journalist tested the service and obtained a convincing California driver's license. They then used another fake ID to successfully bypass the identity verification process on OKX, a cryptocurrency exchange. The article alleges that this technology could streamline bank fraud and money laundering, but reports no actual financial loss.
- Company involved
- OKX
- AI system involved
- OnlyFake
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Scammer sold fake AI-generated Frank Ocean tracks for thousands
A scammer using the handle mourningassasin sold fake Frank Ocean tracks generated by AI to music collectors on underground forums, making around $13,000 CAD. The tracks were created using a model trained on high-quality vocal snippets of Frank Ocean. The scammer admitted the tracks were AI-generated after being confronted by forum administrators, and was banned from the forum.
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California judge sanctions law firms for using AI to generate fake legal citations
Two law firms submitted a supplemental brief containing fake legal citations generated by AI systems including Google Gemini and Westlaw's CoCounsel. Judge Michael Wilner imposed $31,000 in sanctions after discovering the citations were fabricated. The lawyers admitted using AI without proper review or disclosure.
- Company involved
- K&L Gates
- AI system involved
- Google Gemini, Westlaw Precision with CoCounsel
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Florida Grandmother Loses $200,000 to AI Deepfake Doctor Scam
An 82-year-old retired teacher from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, lost nearly $200,000 in retirement savings after scammers used an AI-generated deepfake video impersonating Dr. Pierre Kory to promote a fake investment fund. The victim, who cares for her autistic grandson, was convinced to send money via Facebook Messenger and checks. Police later confirmed the money was unrecoverable, leaving her facing financial hardship. The incident is part of a surge in AI-enabled crypto scams, which stole $17 billion in 2025.
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Singapore Firm Defrauded of $499K in Deepfake CEO Video Call Scam
In March 2025, a finance director at a multinational firm in Singapore authorised a US$499,000 payment during a Zoom call that appeared to include the company's CFO and other executives. The call was a deepfake, with AI-generated likenesses and voices. The fraudsters used the impersonation to request an urgent fund transfer for a purported acquisition. The company later discovered the deception and reported it to Singapore police.
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Ukrainian Hacker Pleads Guilty to Operating OnlyFake AI ID Scam Site
Yurii Nazarenko, a Ukrainian national, pleaded guilty to running OnlyFake, an AI-powered website that generated and sold over 10,000 counterfeit identification documents globally. The site allowed users to create realistic fake IDs, including driver's licenses and passports, to bypass identity verification at banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. Nazarenko faces up to 15 years in prison and agreed to forfeit $1.2 million. Sentencing is scheduled for June 2026.
- Company involved
- OnlyFake
- AI system involved
- OnlyFake
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Scammers Use AI to Create Fake Joann Fabrics Websites to Steal Credit Card Data
After Joann Fabrics filed for bankruptcy in January 2025, scammers used AI to create impostor websites mimicking the retailer's site. These fake sites offered deep discounts to trick shoppers into providing credit-card information and personal data. Customers who placed orders never received products and had their payment information compromised. The incident highlights the growing use of AI by cybercriminals to create convincing fake websites.
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Scammers use AI deepfakes to defraud Simcoe County residents of tens of thousands
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake videos of public figures to promote fraudulent investment schemes, tricking residents of Simcoe County, Ontario, into transferring large sums of money via cryptocurrency. Victims, numbering at least half a dozen, have lost tens of thousands of dollars, with one losing over $100,000. The scammers, who pose as investment representatives, instruct victims to move money to crypto exchanges and then transfer it to untraceable addresses. MP Adam Chambers is calling for greater public awareness and platform accountability.
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