Google report warns about 5 prevalent AI-driven online scams

Vietnamese had to cope with thousands of malicious apps in January, with scammers leveraging AI, U.S. tech giant Google has said.

In a report released Tuesday, it said there had been a surge in online frauds at the start of the year.

Through its partnership with the Authority of Information Security via Google Play Protect, the company said it blocked over 1.5 million high-risk app installations involving 8,000 malicious apps in Vietnam, protecting more than 360,000 devices.

It also identified five prevalent online scams, many of which use AI to deceive victims.

AI-generated celebrity scams

Scammers use AI to create fake videos, audios and images of celebrities to promote fraudulent investments, particularly in cryptocurrency, it said. "The combination of influential figures, professional content, and promises of high returns makes these schemes especially deceptive." Google advised users to be cautious about celebrity-endorsed investment opportunities and to look for AI-generated inconsistencies, such as unnatural facial expressions.

Exploiting high-profile events

Scammers take advantage of high-profile events to sell fake tickets or pose as charities, often using AI to enhance their deception, it warned. "From concerts and sports events to cultural festivals and natural disasters, scammers exploit any occasion." The report noted that the urgency of these events often pressures victims into hasty decisions.

Job scams

Fraudsters target job seekers with fake listings on recruitment platforms and social media, impersonating international companies and even conducting professional-looking video interviews and fabricating contracts to build credibility, it said. Beyond stealing data and charging application fees, they also often lure victims into illegal activities such as money laundering, it said. Google advised users to verify job offers through official company channels and avoid any role requiring money transfers.

Travel and shopping scams

It said scammers create fake websites mimicking legitimate travel, retail and ticketing platforms and offering deep discounts on vacations, luxury goods and event tickets, and these are often nearly indistinguishable from real ones.

Victims could receive counterfeit products, be overcharged or have their personal data stolen, it warned. Google urged users to verify websites before making purchases, check URLs and security features, and be wary of unrealistic discounts or urgent purchase prompts.

Remote tech support fraud

Fraudsters impersonate tech support staff from companies, banks or government agencies, claiming users' devices or accounts are compromised. They use fake support pages, caller ID spoofing and scripted conversations to appear legitimate. Their goal is to trick victims into installing remote access software, giving them control over devices, access to personal data, and the ability to conduct unauthorized transactions.

Google warned users never to grant remote access to unknown sources, emphasizing that legitimate companies do not make unsolicited tech support calls. It recommended enabling two-step verification and using password managers for added security.