Interpol: Stop Shaming Older AI Scam Victims as European Fraud Alerts Rise 69%

Interpol's Nick Court, Assistant Director at the Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, urges an end to victim-shaming in AI scams, particularly targeting older Europeans. He states that shaming helps criminals operate in silence and hinders reporting, obscuring the true scale of fraud, which in some European countries constitutes 35–40% of all crime.

Europe saw a 69% increase in fraud alerts, making it a prime target due to its wealth and increased loneliness during COVID-19. Criminals exploit trust using deepfake voices, fake identities, and sophisticated online manipulation. AI translation tools now enable fraudsters to operate effectively in almost any language. Major scam operations are run by international criminal organizations in West Africa and Southeast Asia, often involving trafficked workers forced into fraud.

Traditional warnings, like the absence of video calls, are now obsolete as criminals can appear authentic. Court emphasizes the significant responsibility of telecom and social media companies to identify and act against vulnerabilities. Common scams include romance fraud, which often evolves into investment fraud (e.g., crypto schemes) or sextortion. Warning signs include sudden crises requiring money, such as medical emergencies or family issues.

Court, motivated by witnessing the devastating impact on victims and the conscious greed of offenders, stresses that the focus should be on criminals. He highlights that human nature makes people susceptible to manipulation, similar to making poor choices in relationships or politics. He joined Interpol in 2020 from the City of London Police, where he was Britain’s national lead for fraud and cyber-crime.