Scammers Grow More Sophisticated with AI-Driven

Witness Runodada ZimNow reporter

Online scammers are becoming increasingly creative and dangerous, using advanced technologies and deceptive tactics to exploit unsuspecting individuals.

A recent surge in fraudulent activity has seen cybercriminals producing fake advertisements and AI-generated videos to promote non-existent investment opportunities, marking a troubling evolution in digital scams.

In one of the latest incidents, a fraudulent ad falsely branded with the Herald Online logo is circulating across various social media platforms. The ad falsely claims the existence of a “government investment platform” that guarantees a weekly income of $1000 in exchange for an initial $250 payment. Victims are lured with promises of immediate returns, being told they will receive their first payment “in your bank account tomorrow.”

What makes this scam especially dangerous is the use of artificial intelligence to generate a realistic-looking video featuring prominent public figures Fadzai Mahere and Trevor Ncube. The video has been fabricated to make it appear as if both individuals are endorsing the fraudulent scheme. The sophisticated nature of the video is convincing enough to mislead many viewers into believing the investment is legitimate.

Fadzai Mahere has since taken to her verified Facebook page to warn the public not to fall for the scam. She made it clear that she has no connection to the so-called investment platform and emphasized that the video is a complete fabrication.

According to Crime Watch, this incident is part of a broader trend in which scammers are leveraging new technologies like AI to enhance the believability of their schemes. It warns that these types of scams are growing rapidly in frequency and complexity, targeting people through increasingly personalized and professional-looking content.