Cybersecurity threats evolve through AI and social media extortion

Cybersecurity experts and content creators are highlighting increasingly sophisticated methods of digital fraud and extortion. Dinu Țurcanu, a cybersecurity expert and prorector at the Technical University of Moldova, warns that artificial intelligence is acting as a “double-edged sword,” providing tools for both defense and the creation of highly convincing deepfake videos and fraudulent investment platforms.

Țurcanu notes that the rapid expansion of digital services, such as banking and e-government, has increased the attack surface for criminals. He emphasizes that a lack of digital literacy makes users more vulnerable to these evolving threats.

In a separate trend, social media creators are being targeted by extortion schemes on Instagram. Scammers exploit copyright reporting mechanisms by filing false claims against accounts, subsequently contacting victims via Telegram to demand money in exchange for withdrawing the complaints. This tactic leverages the threat of account suspension to pressure creators into paying. In India, several creators have approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that Meta’s copyright protection systems are being weaponized for blackmail.