AI is aiding sextortion schemes

Criminals are using artificial intelligence (AI) to extort young people via social media and dating apps, the FBI has warned.

Young people are increasingly becoming the target of sextortion schemes. These occur when victims are coerced into sending inappropriate images or videos online, which are later exploited for financial gain.

A report from Vice found that criminals are using AI to craft profiles pretending to be around the same age as the young victims they’re targeting.

Victims are then fooled into sending nude images or videos to matches who aren’t who they say they are.

Later, these victims are blackmailed into paying a “wild amount of money” to the extortionist, Vice said.

The role of artificial intelligence in sextortion schemes

AI is being used by criminals to create profiles or use AI-powered bots to match and communicate with underage individuals on social media or other apps.

Criminals are even using automated software applications, called bots, to trick people into communicating with the profile.

One story, reported by the BBC, saw a student interacting with a profile that later turned out to be an AI chatbot.

One telltale sign is that the AI bot will repeat the same talking points over and over again instead of responding to the victim’s questions.

How does sextortion work?

Sextortion can start on any app or website, and young people are arguably more susceptible to sextortion attempts as they are usually more vulnerable and naive.

Usually, sextortion attempts start with a young person believing they’re communicating with someone their own age.

However, the extortionist is usually much older than they appear and uses their victim’s naivety to trick them into sending lewd images that they can exploit later.

The criminal will then threaten to expose the young person, threatening to send the images and videos to their family members or friends, unless they pay up.

Know the signs: protect yourself from sextortion scams

The FBI recommends users be selective about who they communicate with online. Don’t share intimate information or images with just anyone.

Don’t trust what you see online. If someone sends you an image or a video, be skeptical, as this could be easily forged using AI and other deepfake technologies.

Furthermore, once images and videos are sent, users don’t have control over where they go, so threat actors could easily exploit them at any given moment