Global rise in diverse fraud methods including WhatsApp zero-click attacks and AI deepfakes

Various regions are reporting a surge in diverse fraudulent activities, ranging from sophisticated cyberattacks to traditional social engineering.

In Spain and Portugal, authorities have warned of ‘zero-click’ WhatsApp attacks, particularly affecting older iPhone models with outdated iOS versions. These attacks allow criminals to hijack accounts and impersonate trusted contacts to request money without the victim clicking any links. In Huelva, Spain, the Guardia Civil has recorded dozens of such reports.

In Argentina, scams are targeting specific demographics through different methods. In Catamarca, fraudsters are using fake job offers for food handler certifications to steal money. In other areas, criminals are impersonating ANSES to harvest personal data via telephone calls. Additionally, a man was recently extradited from Santiago del Estero to Catamarca for alleged procedural fraud involving falsified documentation.

Global trends show the rise of AI-generated deepfakes, where fake medical professionals are used on social media to promote unverified health products. Furthermore, in Portugal, a report indicates that 77% of the population has faced an online scam attempt, with many interacting with the fraudsters and suffering financial losses.