Amid the popular use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country, do you know that fraud could also slip through using the same technology?

Scamming methods in the country may come in many forms, but did you know that scammers are evolving their tactics to trick victims using AI?

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) revealed a new scheme used by scammers known as the “fund recovery scam”. Under this scheme, scammers use the names of government agencies and will allegedly offer assistance to recover the stolen money through a scam.

“Ang modus nila, mayroong tatawag sa’yo na pulis, abogado, at financial expert. Pag-uusapan ang procedures o pamamaraan (kung) paano ma-recover ang mga nawalang pera,” PNP-ACG Director PMGen. Wilson Asueta said

[“Their scheme is that there is a police, lawyer, and financial expert that will call you. The fund recovery procedures will be discussed.”]

According to PMGen. Asueta, scammers reach the targets through posting AI-generated videos and photos depicting the PNP-ACG and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

The PNP-ACG clarified that the agency has never been affiliated with any fund recovery service.

According to the PNP, the scheme specifically targets individuals who have already fallen victim to previous scams. Once the scammers successfully receive the money, they will immediately vanish.

“Hihingan kayo ng pera for initial transaction mechanism payment, then after that, bibigyan kayo ng update, then hihingan uli kayo ng mga panibagong bayad,” he said

[“They will ask you for money as an initial transaction payment, then after that, they will give you an update, then they will ask for another payment.”]

“Then mawawala na lang sila bigla sa social media platform or ide-deactivate nila ang kanilang Facebook page,” he added

[“Then they will suddenly disappear from social media platforms or deactivate their Facebook page.”]

The PNP reminded the public to always verify the information before settling any transaction.

With reports from Lea Ylagan