The record

Where automated decisions went wrong

Incidents gathered from public reporting around the world. Each one links to the articles it came from. None of it is a finding that anyone broke the law.

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44 incidents closest to “Sigma Identity Fraud” · matched on meaning · public reporting

Indore resident defrauded of Rs 1.83 lakh via AI voice cloning scam

A resident of Indore, India, was defrauded of Rs 1.83 lakh after scammers used AI-generated voice cloning to impersonate his brother-in-law in Australia. The fraudsters claimed the relative's visa had expired and threatened jail time unless fees were paid, prompting the victim to transfer the money. The victim discovered the fraud the next day upon contacting his relative directly and filed a complaint with the Indore crime branch's cyber cell. Police are investigating and have frozen suspicious accounts in an attempt to recover the funds.

1 source article · read the reporting →

Foreign scammers use AI-generated military photos to defraud American widows on Facebook

Investigations revealed foreign-run Facebook pages using AI-generated images of wounded soldiers to lure Americans into romance scams. Impostors posing as U.S. generals would contact commenters, establish online relationships, and ask for money, causing victims like retiree Jeanne Wasserman to lose over $130,000. Meta acknowledged the pages as 'engagement bait' and struggles with fake account removal. Survivors reported crimes to police and the FBI, but few have recovered funds.

Company involved
Meta

2 source articles · read the reporting →

Meta makes $$$ from deepfake AI scams… then fails to assist victims - Independent Australia

Meta makes $$$ from deepfake AI scams… then fails to assist victims Independent Australia

Company involved
Meta

1 source article · read the reporting →

AI Scammers Clone Exante Broker, Use JPMorgan Account to Defraud US Victim

Scammers used generative AI to create a fake clone of the brokerage firm Exante, including a replicated trading platform and AI-generated passports. They opened a real JPMorgan Chase bank account using a US address and tricked at least one US victim into transferring funds. Exante, which does not serve US clients, discovered the scam when the victim was registered on its real platform and reported the incident to the FBI, SEC, CFTC, and other authorities. The scammers remain unidentified, and the victim's funds have not been recovered.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

Istanbul gang used AI to defraud European citizens from call center

A gang in Maslak, Istanbul, set up a call centre using AI-supported software to impersonate police, prosecutors, soldiers, and bank officials. They defrauded many Czech and European citizens, obtaining high amounts of money, which they laundered through bank accounts and crypto platforms. Turkish authorities, in cooperation with Czech judicial authorities, conducted simultaneous raids on three addresses, seizing digital materials and detaining 80 foreign suspects.

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-YUL9LB1 Jan 2023

AI chatbots used to steal US college financial aid

Crime rings are deploying AI chatbots as 'ghost students' to enrol in online college courses and fraudulently collect US federal financial aid. Victims of identity theft, such as Heather Brady and Brittnee Nelson, discovered loans of over $9,000 and $5,000 respectively taken out in their names for colleges they never attended. The US Education Department introduced a temporary rule requiring government-issued ID for first-time aid applicants, while California community colleges reported losing at least $11.1 million to such scams.

Company involved
Delgado Community College

4 source articles · read the reporting →

AI-Generated Fake Investment Websites Target Australian Fraud Analyst

A fraud analyst, Leon, was targeted by scammers who used AI to create convincing fake websites for non-existent investment firms. The scammers posed as employees of Assent Advisory and directed him to elaborate sites for APPC Capital Singapore and Thackeray Mines and Minerals Inc., complete with AI-generated images and fake details. Leon recognised the scam, but the sophistication of the AI-generated content made him second-guess his own judgment. The incident highlights how AI is enabling more convincing investment scams.

1 source article · read the reporting →

Israeli investors lose hundreds of thousands in AI deepfake stock scam

A wave of Israeli investors lost hundreds of thousands of shekels after falling victim to an AI-powered stock scam that used deepfake videos and fake ads on Meta platforms. The fraudsters impersonated public figures and financial institutions to promote a real NASDAQ stock, which was pumped and then crashed. The Israeli Internet Association criticised Meta for inadequate moderation, and authorities are investigating the fraud.

1 source article · read the reporting →

Florida Title Company Stops AI Deepfake Property Fraud Attempt

A title company owner in Hallandale Beach, Florida, detected an attempted property fraud using a deepfake video. The scammer posed as the owner of a vacant lot, providing a fake driver's licence and a looped video during a video call. The title company owner noticed the video was not interactive and halted the sale. The true owner's property tax bills had been sent to the Bahamas, and the scammer used a photo of a missing woman from California.

Company involved
Florida Title and Trust

4 source articles · read the reporting →

Meta criticised as AI fake profiles drive Swedish investment fraud

AI-generated fake profiles on Meta are being used to lure Swedish small savers into 'pump and dump' investment schemes. The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority reports that more than 5,000 savers have lost a total of half a billion kronor. Journalist Gabriel Mellqvist, whose identity was used without consent, criticises Meta for not taking responsibility.

Company involved
Meta

4 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-AJ88GU15 Jun 2025

Scammers use AI deepfakes to impersonate BMO strategist and economist in investment fraud

Scammers used AI-generated deepfake videos to impersonate Bank of Montreal's chief investment strategist Brian Belski and economist David Rosenberg, luring investors into WhatsApp groups with fake stock tips. Victims reported collective losses exceeding $1-million. The real experts struggled to get the content removed from Meta platforms, with some deepfakes reaching nearly a million users. Meta has since enrolled one victim in a facial recognition program to detect future impersonations.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-ANBXFP1 Jun 2024

Scammers use AI-generated identities to steal $5.6 million in FTX debt claims fraud

In June 2024, a scam group posing as FTX debt claimants allegedly used AI-generated identities and manipulated facial appearances to defraud two companies of more than $5.6 million. The perpetrators accessed FTX customer data through public bankruptcy filings or a 2023 data breach at Kroll. Blockchain analysis traced the stolen funds through Binance, CoinEx, and Gate.io. The incident remains unresolved.

6 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-7U35ZD18 Mar 2024

SEC Charges Delphia and Global Predictions for False AI Claims

The SEC charged Delphia (USA) Inc. and Global Predictions Inc. for making false and misleading statements about their use of artificial intelligence. Delphia claimed from 2019 to 2023 that it used AI and machine learning to predict investments, while Global Predictions falsely claimed in 2023 to be the 'first regulated AI financial advisor'. Both firms settled the charges without admitting or denying the findings, agreeing to pay a total of $400,000 in civil penalties and to cease and desist from further violations.

Company involved
Delphia (USA) Inc. and Global Predictions Inc.

1 source article · read the reporting →

Nomani Investment Scam Uses AI Video Testimonials to Steal Money and Data

Cybersecurity firm ESET reported that an investment scam campaign named Nomani used AI-generated video testimonials of famous people in social media adverts to lure victims worldwide to phishing websites. The scammers harvested personal information, then telephoned victims and manipulated them into investing in non-existent products, with some taking out loans or installing remote access apps. When victims sought payouts, they were told to pay extra fees and provide ID and credit-card details, after which the fraudsters disappeared with their money and data. South Korean authorities separately said they dismantled a related fake trading platform network that defrauded victims of nearly $6.3 million.

Company involved
Nomani
AI system involved
Nomani

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-855ZWA1 Oct 2013

Michigan's MiDAS system falsely accused 34,000 of unemployment fraud

Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) deployed the Michigan Integrated Data Automated System (MiDAS) to automate fraud detection. The system algorithmically adjudicated over 40,000 fraud cases between October 2013 and September 2015, with 85 percent of those resulting in incorrect fraud determinations. The false accusations led to severe financial penalties, ruined credit, and homelessness for many victims. A class-action lawsuit was filed, and while the state has apologised and returned fines, it has fought against compensation claims, though legislators have promised to seek at least $30 million for those affected.

Company involved
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency
AI system involved
Michigan Integrated Data Automated System (MiDAS)

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-LMMU7520 Jan 2025

Scammers Use Deepfake of Namibia's Former First Lady to Defraud Public

Scammers are using AI-manipulated videos of Namibia's former First Lady Monica Geingos to convince members of the public to invest in fraudulent Forex schemes. Geingos warned that she is not soliciting money or loans on social media and urged people to report fake accounts. The incident highlights the rising threat of deepfake fraud, with South Africa experiencing a 1200% increase in such cases. No specific loss has been reported, but the potential for financial harm is significant.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

Phantom Hacker Scam Uses AI Deepfakes to Steal $1 Billion from Elderly Victims

A cybercrime wave called the 'Phantom Hacker' scam has used AI-generated deepfakes, voice cloning, and caller ID spoofing to steal over US$1 billion from elderly victims worldwide, primarily in the United States. Criminals impersonate tech support, bank officials, and government investigators to trick victims into transferring money to fraudulent accounts. The scam exploits fear and limited digital literacy, with a 600% rise in AI-enabled fraud reported. Experts urge verification through official channels as no legitimate institution requests remote access or money transfers over calls.

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-EAXKQ219 May 2017

HSBC voice ID breached by customer's twin brother

BBC reporter Dan Simmons set up an HSBC voice-ID authenticated account. His non-identical twin brother Joe was able to mimic his voice and gain access after eight attempts, viewing balances and transactions and being offered the chance to transfer money. HSBC acknowledged the breach and reduced the number of allowed attempts from seven to three. The bank stated that the system remains secure and that the scenario was not typical of fraud.

Company involved
HSBC
AI system involved
Voice ID

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-MTDPWE17 Jul 2025

AI-generated Centrelink phishing emails target 270,000 Australians

More than 270,000 fake emails impersonating Services Australia and Centrelink were detected over four months in a broad phishing campaign. Cybersecurity firm Mimecast reports that cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to create highly convincing clones of legitimate government communications about benefits. The attack targets vulnerable people and can lead to identity theft, data theft, malware, or ransomware.

Company involved
Services Australia

4 source articles · read the reporting →

Gamma AI Presentation Tool Exploited in Multi-Stage Phishing Campaign

Threat actors used Gamma, an AI-powered presentation builder, to host a page that redirected recipients to a fake Microsoft SharePoint login portal. Emails sent from compromised legitimate accounts passed authentication checks, while a Cloudflare Turnstile blocked automated security scanners. An adversary-in-the-middle framework validated credentials in real time and captured session cookies, enabling multi-factor authentication bypass on Microsoft accounts. Abnormal reported the campaign on 15 April 2025.

AI system involved
Gamma

7 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-J5NF5A1 Jan 2020

UAE Company Loses $35 Million in Deepfake Audio Scam

Fraudsters used forged emails and deepfake audio to impersonate a company director, convincing a branch manager at a UAE company to transfer $35 million as part of a fake acquisition. The manager believed he was following instructions from the director and a US-based lawyer. The incident, which occurred in January 2020, led to a US federal court request for assistance in tracing the stolen funds. The case highlights the growing threat of deepfake technology in corporate fraud.

6 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-PC2AVV15 Jul 2026

Sky Gold subsidiary loses Rs 10.70 crore in deepfake scam

Starmangalsutra Private Limited, a subsidiary of Sky Gold and Diamonds, lost approximately Rs 10.70 crore after fraudsters used deepfake techniques to impersonate a director and trick an employee into transferring funds to unknown accounts. The incident was discovered on July 15, 2026, and the company reported it to cybercrime authorities and banks. Sky Gold stated there is no indication of broader IT system breaches.

Company involved
Starmangalsutra Private Limited

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-U5X4EM1 May 2026

Google sues Chinese gang over AI-powered fraud targeting Americans

Google has filed a lawsuit against a Chinese cybercrime group called Outsider Enterprise, alleging it used Google's Gemini AI to create hundreds of fake websites impersonating companies and government services. The group allegedly sent millions of phishing messages to Android users, defrauding hundreds of thousands of Americans of millions of dollars. Google is coordinating with the FBI and wireless carriers to dismantle the network. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, seeks an injunction to take down the operation.

Company involved
Outsider Enterprise
AI system involved
Gemini

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-VVNE2724 Dec 2025

Montenegro police warn of rising AI identity abuse in online fraud

Montenegrin police say AI is fuelling a rise in identity abuse by online fraudsters, using deepfake videos of public figures to promote bogus remedies and investment schemes. Surgeon and MP Vladimir Dobricanin found a manipulated video of himself apparently endorsing eyedrops and other products, while Bosnian fact-checkers reported similar misuse of statements to lure people into cryptocurrency scams. Victims reported 42 online scams in 2025 with financial losses of around 300,000 euros, but authorities say investigations are complex and often lengthy due to the use of servers abroad and encryption. Experts called for stronger technical capacities, international cooperation, and faster platform responses to tackle the problem.

Company involved
Limited Charm
AI system involved
Deepfake social media advertisements

1 source article · read the reporting →

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