The impact of artificial intelligence on the growth of digital fraud in Brazil

Imagine receiving a perfect voice message from a celebrity asking for financial help for a social cause or finding a website identical to that of a renowned store offering unmissable deals. Ці, these are just some of the sophisticated tactics that criminals are adopting through artificial intelligence (AI), to deceive millions of Brazilians daily

According to a survey conducted on the BrandMonitor platform, between March and May of this year, it was identified that 529 of the 628 tracked brands suffered attacks from suspicious domains and in 405 cases, fake sites have emerged scamming people. The 50 most impacted brands recorded an average of 86 fake domains created in just a 90-day period. The technology that promises to transform the future is now used to sophisticate frauds, creating a digital epidemic that puts consumers and companies on high alert

One of the main reasons for the growth of AI-driven digital fraud is its versatility, without limits for the sectors and uses that can adopt. Despite the versatility of digital blows, everyone follows common steps

1. Data collectionCriminals obtain personal and financial data from consumers and businesses through leaks, phishing and malware
2. AI trainingWith the collected data, AI is trained to identify patterns of behavior and imitate human language convincingly
3. ExecutionAI automates the scam, creating fake profiles, sending personalized messages and simulating online activities to deceive the victims

According to the global survey on Omnichannel Digital Fraud Trends conducted by TransUnion in 2023, digital fraud attempts have increased by 80% globally since 2019. When combined with AI, these frauds become even more sophisticated and convincing for users. In Brazil, the first half of 2024 recorded 800 thousand attempted scams

Examples of scams in Brazil

NoFree Market, for example, criminals create fake profiles with photos and positive reviews generated by bots, inducing buyers to carry out fraudulent transactions. Already in app-based transport companies, how theUberand the99 Taxi, AI is used to simulate ghost trips, generating undue charges to customers and illicit profits for the scammers

Although the possibilities are varied, some formats of digital scams are more recognized by users, including

1. Personalization of phishing messagesThe AI analyzes data about the victim, as purchase history, interests and online behavior, to create highly targeted messages. This customization makes it difficult to identify frauds, because the messages seem legitimate and relevant to the recipient
2. Fake virtual assistantsFake chatbots lead people to provide sensitive information, such as bank details or passwords. Artificial intelligence allows these assistants to respond naturally and adapt to users' questions, making them more convincing
3. Deepfakes and voice manipulationAI is used to create deepfakes, what are fake videos or audios that look authentic. This technology is a growing concern, especially in contexts like elections, where the dissemination of false information can have significant impacts. In February of this year, The Superior Electoral Court decided to restrict the use of AI in campaigns

Information and education are essential for protection against digital fraud. Users need to be more aware of how these fraudsters operate, so that they can have more control over their decisions, уникаючи таким чином, the coup and all the turmoil that comes with it

Furthermore, to better understand the scope of digital fraud driven by artificial intelligence, it is crucial to analyze concrete cases that highlight the impacts of these practices. Some emblematic examples involving large companies in Brazil reveal how these organizations were targeted by sophisticated scams, exploring vulnerabilities of both consumers and the brands themselves

1. Mercado LivreCriminals use AI to create fake profiles with photos and positive reviews generated by bots, inducing buyers to make transactions with non-existent sellers. Furthermore, they use AI to create fake product ads, attracting buyers and collecting personal and financial data
2. VansCriminals create fake websites selling Vans products with unrealistic discounts, using AI to personalize these sites and deceive consumers
3. FleuryPhishing scams using AI tricked employees of Grupo Fleury, resulting in the leakage of sensitive data
4. ENEM 2024A fake site imitating the Participant Page of the Enem led several users to pay the registration fee for the exam, estimated at 85 reais per person
5. StarlinkThe satellite internet company of SpaceX, of Elon Musk, is constantly a victim of scams and frauds. In our daily tracking ranking, we found 523 suspicious domains related to Starlink, 152 of them active. About 44% of complaints about the company are related to fake websites

AI is also a defense tool

Just as artificial intelligence can be used for scams, it is also a powerful ally to combat them. It is essential to recognize the importance of not only having advanced technology, but also knowing how to apply it effectively, through sophisticated pattern detection techniques and behavior analysis

The epidemic of digital fraud in Brazil, driven by artificial intelligence, it is a growing challenge that requires constant attention and coordinated action among companies, government and consumers. Only with information, education and the intelligent use of technology we can curb this wave of digital crime and protect our data and our future