Artificial intelligence is undeniably one of the hottest topics in the tech sector. It helps humans accomplish tasks faster and more efficiently. However, when used dangerously, it can be a double-edged sword in an instant.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially identified the first AI-driven robocall scammer. However, the damage caused by this entity, known as Royal Tiger, has already affected millions of Americans.
Royal Tiger Cyber Gang Masterminds
Royal Tiger is the first robocall gang publicly named by the FCC. This group is known to be an expert in AI voice cloning, an often abused technique to fool victims into falling into scam traps.
According to FoxNews, the gang operates across multiple countries, including the US, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, and India.
Furthermore, FCC says that the group's leader is Prince Jashvantlal Anand who is popularly known as "Frank Murphy." He has an associate named Kausal Bhavsar.
What Are Robocalls and AI Scams
Robocalls and AI scams involve the use of automated calling systems and artificial intelligence to deceive individuals. Scammers like Royal Tiger use AI voice cloning to create realistic-sounding voices that impersonate legitimate entities.
Common scenarios include calls about credit card interest rate reductions or fake purchase authorization orders, aimed at obtaining sensitive financial information from victims. Additionally, phone spoofing techniques make these calls appear more legitimate by displaying the caller ID of actual agencies.
FCC's Actions Against AI Scammers
The FCC's first step in combating these scams is to publicly identify and shame the scammers, hoping to spread awareness and encourage international action.
In the U.S., the FCC has sent cease-and-desist letters to companies involved in Royal Tiger's operations, such as Illum Telecommunication and PZ Telecommunication.
The FCC has also classified Royal Tiger as a Consumer Communications Information Services Threat (C-CIST), reflecting an alarming danger it poses to consumer trust in communication services. In some cases, the FCC has required downstream providers to block traffic from these companies to disrupt their activities.
"Well-prepared fake calls nefariously exploit people's respect of law enforcement and government, for instance, calling on behalf of the local police or the FBI, citing numerous laws and regulations with some legalese to intellectually disarm and psychologically paralyse their victims. With VoIP, phone numbers can be easily spoofed, so many gangs utilize real phone numbers of law enforcement agencies to increase authenticity of their calls," ImmuniWeb's CEO Dr. Ilia Kolochenko said.
AI Scams Are Avoidable Through These Tips
Despite the FCC's efforts, groups like Royal Tiger can quickly adapt and refine their tactics. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from these sophisticated scams:
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls
Always be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls, especially those requesting personal information or offering services that seem too good to be true.
Use Call-Blocking Services
Some phone companies have special services to block robocalls. This will help you control receiving unwanted calls.
Verify Caller Identity
If someone is claiming they are working from a bank or any government agency and your gut feeling tells so, hang up the phone. You can verify them by calling the official number of the particular org.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information
Never share sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or credit card numbers over the phone unless you are certain of the caller's identity.
Report Suspicious Calls
If there's any suspicious call you receive, immediately report it to the FTC.
Use Data Removal Services
Consider using data removal services to minimize the amount of personal information available online, making it harder for scammers to obtain.
While no service can remove all your data from the internet, these services can help you monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously.
Speaking of robocalls, a deepfake robocall impersonating US President Joe Biden was discovered by the FCC. The agency found that Steven Kramer, a political consultant from Louisiana is the person responsible for this fraudulent activity.
Aside from 13 felony charges and misdemeanor counts, the 54-year-old was slapped with a $6 million fine.
