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OpenAI Bans Accounts Linked to Dating Scams and Fake Lawyers.

OpenAI has announced that it has banned multiple accounts connected to cybercrime activities, including romance scams, impersonation of law firms and U.S. officials, and coordinated influence campaigns.

According to the report, some accounts likely originating from China used AI tools to:

• Gather information about U.S. individuals and federal buildings
• Draft emails to U.S. state officials and policy analysts
• Request guidance on face-swapping software
• Orchestrate influence operations, including a smear campaign targeting Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi

In another case, a group of accounts used ChatGPT to run a large-scale dating scam targeting Indonesian men. The scammers generated promotional content for a fake dating platform and pressured victims into making large payments. OpenAI says the operation may have defrauded hundreds of victims monthly.

There were also accounts posing as law firms and U.S. law enforcement, targeting people who were already victims of fraud.

The takeaway is simple: AI is a powerful tool, but like any technology, it can be misused. The responsibility is on platforms, governments, and users to stay vigilant.

Always verify who you are speaking with online. Be cautious of paid “consultations,” romance offers, or legal threats that come unexpectedly.

Technology is evolving fast. Awareness is your first line of defence.
Source: Reuters