<
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/scammers-using-ai-produce-sophisticated-scams/105150946>
'Leon knows a scam when he sees it — he's a fraud and data analyst who has
previously worked for financial institutions.
But even he was left second-guessing when he was contacted by scammers who he
believes used artificial intelligence to create elaborate websites for
businesses that don't exist.
Leon — not his real name — has asked to be anonymous due to concerns his data
could be breached.
Like many scams, Leon's experience began with a cold call from someone
identifying themselves as an employee of marketing agency Assent Advisory, and
claiming to promote an investment opportunity.
Knowing cold calls are a red flag, Leon played along, curious to see how it
would play out.
Leon's caller was professional, patient and didn't pressure him to provide
sensitive financial information over the phone — a tactic often reported by
scam victims.
But when he was sent links to the glossy websites of the investment firm being
promoted, and a mining company the firm would help him buy shares in, Leon
quickly realised this was not any "old school scam".
The elaborate sites featured a business registration number, detailed weekly
blog posts, a list of board members with their pictures and the names of their
graduating universities, the locations of multiple mining sites, and even a
range of publicly accessible documents detailing company policies.
Leon said the level of detail was convincing.
"I do this kind of work, I'm a pretty sceptical person, but I looked at the
[site] and I thought 'well, if I was given this website by someone I trusted …
I wouldn't [take] a second glance'," he said.
"So basic due diligence is probably not enough here."'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
