The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) says thieves are using AI and AI agents to drain more money from victims.
In its 2026 INTERPOL Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment, the organization warns that criminals across the globe are collaborating and sharing tech expertise to scale operations.
According to INTERPOL, one technology that is being widely used by criminals today is artificial intelligence.
“AI-enhanced fraud is 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. ‘Agentic AI’ systems can autonomously plan and execute complete fraud campaigns – from reconnaissance to ransom demands.”
Thieves are also using AI to lure people into fake romance schemes.
“Sextortion is now being systematically integrated into scams such as romance and investment fraud, often using scripts and AI-generated content.”
In a recent study, researchers found that AI scammers are beating humans at building trust in romance scams, with AI-driven interactions achieving 46% compliance compared with just 18% for human-led attempts.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza says AI-enhanced fraud is now a global security threat and calls on governments and the private sector to collaborate in an effort to combat the rise of sophisticated cybercrimes.
“Enabled by artificial intelligence, low-cost digital tools and increased global criminal collaboration, we are witnessing the industrialization of fraud. It is vital to remember that the cost of financial crime is not just money – it is people’s life savings, their dignity, and in the worst case, their life.”
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