Canada warns about AI-generated scams targeting citizens online
Growing use of AI deepfakes allows scammers to mimic public officials in Canada and spread convincing fraudulent communications.
Authorities in Canada have issued a warning about the growing use of AI in impersonation scams targeting citizens. Fraudsters increasingly deploy advanced tools capable of mimicking politicians, government officials and other public figures with convincing realism.
Deepfake videos, synthetic audio and AI-generated messages allow scammers to create convincing communications that appear to come from trusted authorities.
Such tactics are often used to persuade victims to send money, reveal personal information, install malicious software or engage with fraudulent investment offers.
Officials also warn about fake government websites created with AI-assisted tools that imitate official pages by copying national symbols and similar domain names. Suspicious websites often use unusual web addresses, extra characters, or unfamiliar domain endings to mislead visitors.
Authorities advise Canadians to verify unexpected messages through official channels rather than clicking links or responding immediately.
Suspected impersonation attempts should be reported to the Competition Bureau or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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