Fraudsters use deepfakes of children to defraud parents of money

Scammers use audio and video materials of children in Russia published on social networks to create deepfakes, and then call parents, allegedly on their behalf, with requests to urgently transfer money, UserGate told RIA Novosti.

“Fraudsters are taking cyberattacks against schoolchildren and their parents to a new level, actively using artificial intelligence technologies to create “pure” phishing and deepfakes,” they said.

“Children often publish audio and video materials on social networks, becoming unwitting donors of data. Attackers use these recordings to create synthetic calls to parents with messages about alleged problems and an urgent need to transfer money,” the company said.

There have also been cases where fake voice messages were used on behalf of teachers to lure information or funds.

According to experts, attackers use AI not to create fundamentally new types of attacks, but as “an amplifier that makes old schemes widespread, cheap and almost indistinguishable from real mailings.” Among the main threats is mass “clean” phishing with imitation of requests to update data in an electronic diary, fill out a form, or pay for school meals.

Experts also warn about the appearance of AI bots in school chats, masquerading as classmates or parents.

“Such bots carefully collect information and then distribute malicious links. In addition, under the guise of “neural networks for solving homework,” “smart solvers,” or “online tutors,” users can be offered phishing resources or stealth programs designed to steal passwords,” UserGate added.