CIB warns public to stay alert to fake AI police, prosecutor fraud

Taipei, Aug. 19 (CNA) The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Tuesday warned the public to remain vigilant of an increase in financial criminals using sophisticated AI to impersonate police and prosecutors.

The bureau reported an average of 530 fraud cases per day in July, with daily losses reaching NT$275 million (US$9.1 million).

Fake police and prosecutor scams remain among the most damaging, CIB figures showed. From January to July, 3,114 such cases were reported, causing NT$6.2 billion in losses -- nearly NT$2 million per victim on average.

According to the bureau, these schemes often start with a call warning that a bank account is "under investigation," then escalate to video calls using AI-generated police backdrops, fake uniforms, and forged documents. Victims are pressured into handing over bank cards or transferring funds for "monitoring."

Officials cited the case of a woman in her 60s who was targeted multiple times. She first received a call from someone posing as her son in urgent need of money. Weeks later, a fake bank officer claimed her account was flagged and transferred her to what appeared to be a police station, where AI-generated videos of "officials" convinced her to hand over NT$20 million in savings.

The CIB urged the public to treat any mention of IDs, bank cards, account monitoring, or secrecy requirements as warning signs. People should hang up immediately and verify by calling the 165 anti-fraud hotline.