Artificial intelligence is transforming the cybercrime landscape by lowering the barriers for less skilled criminals to launch sophisticated attacks. Traditionally, highly skilled hackers created advanced malware such as ransomware and sold it to others on the Dark Web, often in exchange for a share of the profits. However, AI now enables even inexperienced criminals to conduct targeted scams and cyberattacks.
AI-driven tools can gather huge amounts of data from social media and public sources, allowing criminals to craft highly convincing spear phishing emails that trick victims into sharing personal details or making fraudulent payments. Deepfake videos and voice cloning have further intensified scams such as the family emergency scam and Business Email Compromise, which accounted for global losses exceeding 55 billion dollars between October 2023 and December 2023, according to official reports. In one striking case in 2024, engineering firm Arup lost 25 million dollars after cybercriminals used deepfaked video calls to impersonate the company’s CFO and convince an employee to transfer funds.
A recent report revealed how cybercriminals are also exploiting AI chatbots to conduct full-scale ransomware operations. One UK-based attacker, identified as GTG-5004, used an AI platform to scan vulnerable networks, develop malware with evasion abilities, steal sensitive data and craft ransom demands. In just one month, this individual targeted 17 organisations across government, healthcare, emergency services and religious institutions, demanding between 75,000 and 500,000 dollars. Unlike skilled hackers of the past, this attacker relied on AI to perform encryption, analysis evasion and decision-making.
The report also exposed how North Korean operatives have used AI to secure remote jobs in Western tech companies. Individuals with little coding knowledge or English proficiency were able to pass interviews, maintain multiple jobs and channel hundreds of millions of dollars annually into North Korea’s weapons programmes.
The AI provider has since banned accounts linked to these activities, introduced detection systems and shared intelligence with the wider security community. Despite these measures, the findings highlight how AI is rapidly reshaping cybercrime. As the report concluded, the industry faces a wakeup call to confront the risks posed by criminals exploiting artificial intelligence.
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