The Dark Side of AI: How Scammers are Taking Advantage

Happy Valentine's Day and GM to Web3 Community on LinkedIn.

I gave you a sweet candy and now feeding you a bitter pill. Today, I am going to share some dark secrets of AI.

I am relatively new to the world of web3 and cryptocurrencies, having only started learning about this technology and digital currency for about a year now. In 2022, I was actively building a community for an NFT educational institution in Malaysia, where I had the opportunity to learn and connect with individuals who are passionate about blockchains and digital assets such as crypto and NFTs. During this time, I also encountered individuals who were exploiting Decentralized Finance (DeFi) for their own gain. They would launch new projects and market them as quick-rich schemes, misleading people into investing in their projects with false promises of high returns with minimal risk.

Recently, I've attended a 3-day NFT workshop and was disheartened to see that some educators were spreading misleading information to mass audiences, claiming that NFTs are no-risk investments that offer high returns in a short period of time. I believe these individuals to be irresponsible educators who are exploiting people's greed and enticing them to invest in their projects. Although I have some opinions on this topic, I choose not to comment publicly as I do not consider myself an expert in the field.

I strongly advise others not to fall for these scams. It is important to do your own research and due diligence before investing in any project, particularly if you are unsure about the source of the project's income. If you cannot find information on how the project owners are generating their income, it is likely that your investment funds are being used as "the source of income" for them.

In crypto space, people always use the term DYOR. It is the abbreviation of "Do Your Own Research". Yes, I strongly recommend you to dig out as much information as you possibly can online and also read about the investors' feedback and don't make impulsive investment decisions in any NFT or Crypto projects.

Okay... let's get back to our main topic, the dark side of AI.

The use of AI has brought about a new era of convenience, automation, and efficiency. However, the rapid advancement of technology has also opened up new avenues for hackers and scammers to exploit. One of the most significant threats posed by AI is the replication of human voices and images. The rise of voice cloning and the creation of 3D models are a significant cause for concern, as they make it easier for hackers to impersonate individuals and scam others out of money, sensitive information, and valuables.

Voice cloning is a process where a hacker uses a small recording of an individual's voice to create a nearly perfect replication. This voice can then be used to contact the individual's loved ones and scam them into giving up money, information or valuables. The scary part is that even a few minutes of audio available online can be used to create a cloned voice, making it even easier for hackers to carry out these scams.

The use of AI-generated 3D models is also a growing concern. With enough high-quality images of someone available online, a hacker can create a 3D model that is almost indistinguishable from the real person. This paired with a cloned voice, makes it even easier for hackers to trick others into giving up sensitive information or money.

It's crucial that we stay vigilant and protect ourselves against these types of scams. We can start by spreading the word to our family and friends and making them aware of these dangers. It's also important to be mindful of the information we put online and to limit the amount of audio and high-quality images we make available. Regularly monitoring our online accounts for any suspicious activity is another step we can take to protect ourselves.

It's also essential to stay informed about the latest developments in this area. Technology is constantly evolving, and new threats are emerging all the time. By staying informed, we can take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

The use of AI has brought about many benefits, but it has also created new dangers that we must be aware of. It's crucial that we stay vigilant and protect ourselves against the malicious use of our voices and images. The more we know, the better equipped we'll be to protect ourselves and others. Spread the word and stay informed so that we can stay ahead of these scammers and hackers.

Last but not least, I have included this Youtube video for my readers to know more about crypto scams. The more you know about scammers tricks, the better equipped you'll be to protect yourself and your hard earned money (or crypto).

Avoid these most common scams as you dive deep into the world of crypto!