What Are AI Callbot Scams?

Deepfake Technology Explained

Scammers are now leveraging artificial intelligence to create deepfake callbots that can mimic human voices with alarming accuracy. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has flagged this new threat as a growing danger to Filipino consumers.

"It's called agentic AI," said CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso. "Then, ginagamitan din siya ng deepfake technology wherein yung parang boses, hindi na siya robotic, tao na siya."

How the Scams Work

According to authorities, criminals first obtain personal information about potential victims from hacked government or company databases. They then use this data to create convincing scenarios, such as posing as internet service providers or financial institutions.

The technology gets better. It's almost impossible to tell now if you're hearing someone if that's really their authentic voice or if it's an AI-generated voice," said Dominic Ligot, director for AI Ethics and Data Governance at the Philippine AI Business Association.

Real Victim Shares Close Call

Camille Velasco's Experience

A 25-year-old Manila resident, Camille Velasco, revealed that she nearly fell victim to one such scam. The fraudster claimed to represent her internet service provider and had access to her personal details.

"Nagpakabit ako ng internet kaya meron siyang details ko," she shared. The scammers used her recent subscription to build trust and attempt to extract sensitive information.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Authorities urge the public to be vigilant against the following red flags:

  • Unsolicited calls claiming urgent account issues
  • Requests for immediate fund transfers or e-money transactions
  • Pressure to act quickly without time to verify

How to Protect Yourself

Verification Protocols

The CICC advises Filipinos to verify any suspicious calls by contacting their bank or service provider directly through official channels. Never provide personal information or authorization codes to unknown callers.

Securing Financial Accounts

"Lalo na sa pag-transfer ng funds, pag-transfer ng [e-money] from our bank accounts here in the Philippines," Undersecretary Paraiso warned. Experts recommend enabling multi-factor authentication on all financial accounts and regularly monitoring transactions for unauthorized activity.

Filipinos should report any suspected scams to the CICC or their local authorities immediately to help prevent further victims from falling prey to these sophisticated schemes.