AI-powered scam gangs target India, country ranks second in global cyber fraud attacks

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A new report by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has revealed that India has become the second-largest target of international scam networks. English-speaking users in the United States remain the most affected. The report highlights that modern scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create highly convincing fake profiles with realistic photos, videos, and detailed backstories, along with personalized messages to gain users’ trust.

The findings show that scam groups mainly target users in the US, followed by India, Mandarin-speaking regions such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and then countries like Japan and South Korea. Common fraud methods include advance payment scams, investment fraud, gambling schemes, romance scams, and impersonation of celebrities or government officials. In many cases, fraudsters build trust by showcasing a luxurious lifestyle before shifting conversations to private platforms like WhatsApp to execute scams.

The report also revealed that a major scam network operating from Pakistan was recently dismantled, which had been targeting Indian users using AI-generated content in multiple languages. In its crackdown this year, Meta removed over 1.09 crore accounts, six lakh pages, and more than 1.12 lakh advertising accounts linked to fraudulent activities. The company warned that such networks are also being used for organized crime, including recruitment, blackmail and propaganda.

Users have been advised to remain cautious by avoiding unknown links and not sending money to unfamiliar individuals, as scammers are increasingly exploiting both financial and emotional vulnerabilities.