‘100 Video Calls Per Day’: Models Are Applying to Be the Face of AI Scams (www.wired.com)

A recent investigation has revealed a troubling trend in the world of cybercrime, where individuals are applying for roles as "AI face models" to participate in elaborate scams. These positions, primarily advertised in known scamming hubs like Cambodia, require successful applicants to make up to 150 deepfake video calls daily. Rather than traditional jobs, these roles serve to manipulate potential victims using fabricated identities for online cryptocurrency and romance scams. Recruitment videos showcase applicants touting impressive language skills and experience, while some ads explicitly reference the high salaries and demanding schedules expected of these models. The rise of AI in this context raises significant ethical concerns for the AI/ML community. Criminal networks are increasingly using face-swapping technology not only to enhance their scamming operations but also to lure individuals into work under potentially coercive conditions. Cybercrime investigators are drawing attention to the dangers surrounding this emerging profession, where models may be exploited or trafficked despite appearing to have accepted positions voluntarily. This intersection of AI and organized crime poses a dual challenge: the exploitation of technology for malicious purposes and the safeguarding of vulnerable populations drawn into these illicit activities.