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Europol Warns: Criminals Leverage AI to Enhance and Automate Operations

According to Europol, the internet has become the central stage for criminal activities ranging from cyber fraud and ransomware to drug trafficking and money laundering. The European law enforcement agency highlights that nearly all forms of serious and organized crime leave behind a digital footprint, whether as a tool, target, or intermediary.

The latest Europol report emphasizes that artificial intelligence (AI) significantly broadens the scope of organized crime. Authorities note that “criminals are utilizing this technology to automate and enhance their operations.” Among the fastest-growing threats identified in the report are ransomware and DDoS attacks.

AI-Powered Attacks

The report indicates that online scams are increasingly fueled by AI-driven social engineering and access to vast amounts of data. “By creating highly realistic synthetic media, criminals can deceive victims, impersonate individuals, and discredit or extort them,” it states. The use of AI-cloned voices and live video deepfakes escalates the threat landscape, facilitating new forms of fraud, extortion, and identity theft.

This evolving landscape necessitates a robust response from law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals, as the capabilities enabled by AI can outpace traditional preventive measures. As technology evolves, so too must the strategies employed to combat the rising tide of digitally-enabled crime.

Source
www.csoonline.com