AP/FRONTLINE investigation reveals US tech used in global scam industry
10 reported
An Associated Press and “FRONTLINE” investigation has found that 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. The investigation, based on leaked files, device data, and interviews with victims and scammers, documented how scammers in Myanmar use AI models, satellite internet, and internet service providers to target victims worldwide. One trafficked scammer, Safeer Mohammed Koorimannil, said he impersonated a woman online and chatted with over 100 people per shift, targeting some 50,000 victims from at least 17 countries in one month using software built with AI models from American tech companies. The AP found no evidence the companies were doing anything illegal, but watchdogs say they lack incentives to crack down on abuse that the Federal Trade Commission estimates cost Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024. The investigation identified American-made AI models, including ChatGPT and Gemini, used to build specialized software for scammers, and found that Starlink is the number one internet service provider in Myanmar, including to scam centers. In response to the reporting, OpenAI said it identified and banned three accounts using its models to support online scams, and Oracle said it was working with law enforcement.
What’s reported
The AP/“FRONTLINE” investigation found American technology is used to power a revolution in the scam industry.
Safeer Mohammed Koorimannil, trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar, impersonated a 28-year-old Singaporean woman named Ella.
Koorimannil said he chatted with more than 100 people across dozens of profiles at the same time on a typical shift.
In one month, Koorimannil targeted some 50,000 victims from at least 17 countries, according to records he smuggled out to AP.
The Federal Trade Commission estimates scams cost Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024.
American-made AI models, chiefly ChatGPT and Gemini, have been used to build specialized software for scammers, according to the investigation with help from C4ADS.
Starlink is the number one internet service provider in Myanmar, including to scam centers, according to device data, public records and interviews.
At least 25 new scam compounds have been built deep inside Myanmar since a high-profile crackdown last fall, new satellite imagery shows.
OpenAI said it identified and banned three accounts that had been using its models to support online scams based on information AP shared.
Oracle said it was “diligently working with law enforcement” on the material shared by AP.
Key figures
Safeer Mohammed Koorimannil, trafficked scammer
Sascha Meinrath, Palmer chair in telecommunications at Penn State University
Jeanine Pirro, District of Columbia U.S. Attorney
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO
Matthew Moynahan, CEO of GetReal Security
Ari Redbord, global head of policy at TRM Labs
Sources: abcnews.com
