Europol’s latest report highlights the growing concern over criminal organizations leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance their illegal operations. The report warns that AI tools are becoming increasingly accessible to criminals, who are using them to automate cyberattacks, create convincing deepfakes for fraud, and develop more sophisticated methods of money laundering. Criminals are particularly exploiting large language models and generative AI to create more convincing phishing emails, impersonate legitimate entities, and automate social engineering attacks. The report emphasizes how AI is “turbocharging” criminal capabilities, making it easier for less technically skilled criminals to conduct complex cyber operations. Europol specifically notes the rise in AI-generated content being used for fraud, disinformation, and child exploitation. The agency warns that AI could significantly enhance criminals’ ability to conduct surveillance, process stolen data, and automate various aspects of their operations. The report also discusses how AI might be used to identify potential victims more efficiently and create more convincing scams. Europol’s executive director, Catherine De Bolle, emphasizes that while AI presents opportunities for law enforcement, it also poses significant risks when in the hands of criminals. The report concludes by calling for increased cooperation between law enforcement agencies and technology companies to address these emerging threats and develop effective countermeasures against AI-enabled crime.
Source: https://time.com/7269152/ai-turbocharging-organized-crime-europol-warns/