LLM-Based Social Engineering Scams
OpenAI disrupted a social engineering group from Cambodia that used ChatGPT. Its scope is impressive:
The network simultaneously conducted multiple types of scams, often blending elements from different schemes. For instance, operators used dating personas to build trust before introducing fraudulent investment opportunities involving cryptocurrencies and spot gold trading. Other users engaged in lengthy romantic conversations with targets using fictitious identities, posed as representatives of online gambling platforms offering fake bonuses and winnings, or impersonated law enforcement agencies to tell targets they needed to pay fines for committing serious criminal offenses.
Although the narratives varied, users across the network consistently displayed the same underlying pattern of deceptive behavior. For example, they created and operated fake dating profiles, fictitious investment experts, and fraudulent law enforcement personas. They also generated images of forged documents, including passports, legal notices, stock-purchase confirmations, and gambling platform interfaces.
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Q • August 27, 2026 7:42 AM
This is what LLMs are good for, creating fakes.
It seems like LLMs have finally hit their stride. Empowering scammers with plausible nonsense to hoodwink the unwary.
I do wish that the “AI” promoters would stop trying to pretend LLMs can produce accurate and trustworthy things. LLMs can’t. But for fooling people into losing their life savings, yes indeed, LLMs have it, that is their strength.