AI-Powered Fraud Costs Americans Rs248 Billion in One Year, FBI Warns

Washington:The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has fueled a sharp rise in cybercrime, with AI-powered fraud causing an estimated **Rs248 billion** in losses to Americans over the past year, according to media reports citing the **FBI**.

The FBI said AI-enabled investment scams alone accounted for losses of approximately **Rs175 billion**, highlighting the growing financial impact of sophisticated online fraud.

Authorities warned that criminals are increasingly using **deepfake technology** to create convincing fake faces, voices, and videos to deceive victims. Experts say that with just a few seconds of recorded audio, AI systems can replicate up to **85 percent** of a person’s voice, making scams more difficult to detect.

The FBI also said attempts are being made to exploit advanced AI models, including those developed by **OpenAI** and **Anthropic**, to gain unauthorized access to other systems.

Officials urged the public to remain vigilant, verify the identity of callers and online contacts, and exercise caution before sharing sensitive information or transferring money, as AI-driven scams continue to become more sophisticated.