AI scams are escalating, with $20 billion in losses reported in 2025, as fraudsters use deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI-generated emails to exploit victims, according to multiple outlets including the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission.
AI Scams Surge with $20 Billion in 2025 Losses
Artificial intelligence is transforming fraud, making scams harder to detect and more effective.
In 2025, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 1 million reports totaling more than $20 billion in losses. Scammers now use AI to create convincing deepfakes, clone voices, and generate personalized phishing emails at scale, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and cybersecurity experts.
Scammers Use AI to Mimic Trustworthy Sources
Scammers use AI to mimic trusted voices and faces, making it harder for victims to distinguish real from fake.
For example, the FBI has warned about criminals using AI-generated voice messages to impersonate government officials, while the FBI logged $893 million worth of complaints citing AI or voice cloning in 2025. One technique involves creating fake websites that appear legitimate, using AI-generated images of real locations to trick users into purchasing low-quality or non-existent products.
Instead of spending hours or days on one victim, which they still do, now it is just a speed game,
said Jerald Burkin, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle office. AI allows scammers to target thousands of people simultaneously, using data from social media and public records to personalize messages and increase the likelihood of success.
Urgency Signals Scams, Experts Warn
Experts advise users to be cautious of urgent requests, especially those involving money or personal information. Treat urgency as a warning sign
notes. Victims are often pressured to act quickly, with scammers using phrases like Your account will be closed today
or Your child needs help.
To protect against AI scams, the FTC recommends verifying requests through independent channels. For example, if a call claims to be from a bank, hang up and dial the institution’s official number. The FBI also advises against sharing verification codes or sensitive information with unknown callers. A familiar voice can be cloned. A professional email can be fabricated,
the FBI warned.
Do not rely on a single visual clue to decide whether a video is authentic,
TechCity cautioned. AI detection tools can help, but they are not foolproof. The best defense is to pause, verify, and never let urgency override common sense. The most useful protection is a consistent habit: pause when a request creates fear or excitement, verify the person through a separate channel, and never let urgency replace common sense,
according to TechCity.
Scammers Exploit Emotional Trust
Scammers are also exploiting emotional vulnerabilities, using AI to create personalized stories that prey on trust. For instance, a scammer might impersonate a family member in distress, using AI to mimic their voice and send urgent requests for money. It’s disturbing that it’s mining [our work],
said one victim, highlighting how AI can repurpose personal data to deceive.
“There’s something out there that is reading our books and mining key phrases from the book, mining the comments of people who’ve actually read the book, then figuring out how can they, the bot, provide just enough information to entice us in and get that first nibble,” said author David B. Williams, who was impersonated by scammers using AI to target book buyers.
Steps to Take if Scammed
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, report it immediately. The FTC’s website, reportfraud.ftc.gov, and the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov are available for filing reports. Victims are also encouraged to contact their bank or the company used for the transaction to see if the transfer can be reversed.
If you think yours is a low dollar amount, but you may be one of 2,000 victims,
Burkin said, All of a sudden, that low dollar amount coupled up with 1,000 other victims is a very large number.
Reporting scams helps authorities track trends and take action against perpetrators.