Thai police: Scam group may have used AI to target victims

Thai police say they believe a scam group they took down used AI to target victims. The group allegedly used the AI to impersonate police officers and contact victims in Japan.

The police raided a mansion in Bangkok last week from which the group was operating. They detained 14 people, including four Japanese citizens. The police seized fake Japanese police uniforms and instructions in Japanese, as well as computers.

Investigators say they found AI programs on the computers that alter facial appearance. They believe the suspects used the programs to help them impersonate police officers on video calls.

"Manipulating faces, backgrounds and voices builds credibility and makes a victim who already partially believes, believe even more," said Ekawin Jivamongkol, an investigator of the Royal Thai Police's Immigration Bureau. "These tactics will improve and get more seamless over time."

Thai police say they believe more suspects were involved. They are investigating the case alongside Japanese authorities.

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