07/08/2026
Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, and new technology is helping criminal networks operate at a larger scale.
An AP investigation found that scam operations have used artificial intelligence, cloud services, internet infrastructure, satellite connections, and social platforms to target people around the world.
Some scams now involve automated messages, real-time translation, fake identities, and carefully scripted conversations designed to build trust quickly.
The financial damage can be devastating. The Federal Trade Commission estimated that scams cost Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024.
The human impact is also serious. Some people working inside scam compounds have been trafficked or forced to participate under threat of violence.
For consumers, the warning signs still matter: pressure to act quickly, requests to keep conversations secret, sudden talk of money or investments, and relationships that move unusually fast.
As scams become more advanced, skepticism can be a form of protection. Slowing down, verifying details, and talking with someone trusted before sending money can make a meaningful difference.
Technology from American companies is being used to power a revolution in the scam industry, playing a key role in the industrialization and globalization of fraud in ways that have not been clear until now, an AP/“FRONTLINE” investigation has found.
