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Identity Fraud and the Rise of AI Bots:

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:23:32 GMT

Identity Fraud and the Rise of AI Bots:

Identity fraud has been a persistent threat for individuals and organizations for many years.

However, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) bots has brought about new challenges and risks in this realm.

This article delves into the topic of identity fraud and the rise of AI bots, while also examining the concept of bots learning from each other. By understanding these interconnected phenomena, we can gain valuable insights into the implications they have on security, privacy, and society.

Understanding Identity Fraud:

Identity fraud occurs when unauthorized individuals use someone else’s personal information for fraudulent purposes. Traditional methods include document theft, phishing, and hacking. However, advancements in technology have paved the way for new forms of identity fraud, including those facilitated by AI bots.

The Rise of AI Bots:

AI bots have become increasingly prevalent across various sectors, including customer service, social media, and e-commerce. These bots leverage machine learning algorithms to mimic human behaviour, engage in conversations, and perform tasks autonomously.

They can analyze vast amounts of data, generate original content, and adapt their behaviour based on user interactions.

The Risks of AI Bots in Identity Fraud:

AI bots pose unique risks in the realm of identity fraud.

They can scrape personal information from various sources, such as social media platforms and online databases, to create convincing fake profiles. These bots can engage in phishing attempts, manipulate individuals through social engineering techniques, and even automate the process of identity theft. The ability of AI bots to analyze patterns, imitate human speech, and learn from past experiences makes them formidable tools for identity thieves which I have covered in a previous article.

Challenges in Detecting AI Bot Identity Fraud:

Detecting identity fraud perpetrated by AI bots presents significant challenges. Unlike traditional methods, AI bots can adapt their behaviour to evade detection systems.

They can learn from their interactions and modify their tactics accordingly, making it difficult to distinguish them from genuine human interactions. Additionally, the rapid evolution of AI technology outpaces the development of detection methods, rendering traditional security measures less effective.

Bots Learning from Each Other:

In recent years, the concept of bot-to-bot learning has gained attention. This refers to the ability of AI bots to learn from each other’s interactions, experiences, and data. Through collaborative learning, bots can collectively improve their performance, knowledge, and capabilities.

Benefits of Bot-to-Bot Learning:

Bot-to-bot learning offers several benefits in various domains. In customer service, bots can share information and learn from each other, leading to more accurate and efficient responses to user queries.

In cybersecurity, bots can collaborate to identify emerging threats, share security measures, and enhance overall system resilience. Additionally, in fields such as e-commerce and recommendation systems, bot-to-bot learning can lead to more personalized and accurate suggestions, improving user experiences.

Ethical Considerations:

While bot-to-bot learning brings advantages, ethical considerations must be carefully addressed.

Bots learning from each other can propagate biases or engage in unethical behaviors if they learn from flawed or biased data.

It is essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical guidelines in the development and deployment of AI bots to mitigate these risks.

Furthermore, the potential for malicious actors to exploit bot-to-bot learning for nefarious purposes calls for robust security measures and continuous monitoring.

Mitigating the Threat:

To combat identity fraud facilitated by AI bots, a multi-faceted approach is necessary.

Improved security measures, such as two-factor authentication, biometric identification, and advanced encryption, can enhance protection against unauthorized access.

In fact our company Securely™ has recently announced a raft of cutting edge updates to counter this threat to your security.

Additionally, govts, organizations and individuals must remain vigilant in safeguarding their and customers personal information, including being cautious about sharing sensitive data online and regularly monitoring their digital footprint. Implementing robust AI bot detection systems that utilize advanced algorithms, machine learning, and behavioural analysis can help identify and neutralize potential threats.

Conclusion:

As identity fraud continues to pose a significant risk to individuals and organizations, the emergence of AI bots has added a new layer of complexity to the issue. Staying informed about the latest trends and implementing comprehensive security measures are crucial steps towards mitigating the threats posed by identity fraud in the age of AI bots

KYC: Are Biometrics the new frontier of digital identity...

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:24:14 GMT

We all know about Facial biometrics....... but did you know about Palm Vein Biometrics or ECG Biometrics? Lets take a deep dive into what's available.

This week I was privileged to be invited to attend roundtable luncheon presented by ConnectID and Ping Identity , with guest speakers David Birch International Keynote Speaker, Published Author, Global Advisor and Investor in Digital Financial Service, Brad Carr, Executive, Digital Governance, National Australia Bank, Andrew Black, Managing Director, ConnectID, Ashley Diffey, Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan, Ping Identity and moderated by Mark Jones, Award-winning Technology and Business Journalist.

It was a roundtable of ideas that kicked off with the question of ‘where will we be in five years’?

Whilst the discussion proceeded under Chatham House Rules, it is fair to say that the outcome was given the void in leadership from most central governments (including our own) that we need to look at countries that have had success so far with biometrics including India with its ambitious Aadhaar program, Singapore with its SingPass, UAE and the USA that has utilized biometric technologies for border security and law enforcement purposes for some time now.

It was a fascinating two hours and I am sure it could have lasted all afternoon, however ultimately I believe the consensus was that collaboration was the only way forward, and indeed the 15 or so people that attended agreed.

My view is we cant wait for Government we just have to get on with it.

Interestingly some of the discussion cut across my wheelhouse of scam (fraud) mitigation, with one speaker noting that Meta platforms now accounted for 8 out of every 10 scams reported in the UK.

No surprise really given there are 1.6bn new ads placed on Facebook marketplace every month and it has been suggested elsewhere that 6 new scam ads are placed every minute on the Meta platforms.

On the trip back to Queensland it had me thinking how we can get in front of the curve at our company Sell Securely .

We are already integrating a cutting edge digital identification system that ConnectID are rolling out this year, but how how with the help of Ai can we be the most advanced platform of our type globally?

In my research I found that several advancements in biometrics have been made in recent years that i had no idea about.

Here are some of the current advances in biometric technology:

1. Behavioral Biometrics:

In addition to traditional physiological biometrics like fingerprints and iris scans, behavioral biometrics have gained attention. These include analyzing patterns such as keystroke dynamics, mouse movement, gait analysis, and voice recognition. Behavioral biometrics provide continuous authentication and can detect anomalies in real-time.

2. Facial Recognition:

Facial recognition technology has seen significant advancements. Deep learning algorithms and neural networks have improved accuracy and speed, enabling facial recognition to be used in various applications, including access control, surveillance, and user authentication.

3. Voice Recognition:

Voice biometrics have become more robust and accurate. Advances in machine learning and voice analysis techniques have made voice recognition a viable option for authentication and identity verification, particularly in call centers and voice assistants.

4. Palm Vein Recognition:

Palm vein recognition technology uses near-infrared light to capture the vein patterns within a person’s palm. It offers a high level of accuracy and security, and it is less affected by external factors such as dirt or aging compared to other biometric modalities.

5. Electrocardiogram (ECG) Biometrics:

ECG-based biometrics use the unique electrical signals of an individual’s heart to verify their identity. ECG sensors embedded in wearables or smartphones can capture and analyze these signals, providing a non-intrusive and continuous biometric authentication method.

6. DNA Biometrics:

DNA-based identification is a rapidly evolving field. Advances in DNA sequencing technologies and DNA analysis techniques have opened up possibilities for using DNA as a biometric identifier. However, ethical considerations and privacy concerns surrounding DNA data remain significant challenges.

7. Multimodal Biometrics:

Combining multiple biometric modalities, such as face and fingerprint, or iris and voice, can enhance accuracy and increase security. Multimodal biometric systems provide a more robust and reliable authentication mechanism by leveraging the strengths of different biometric traits.

8. Anti-Spoofing Techniques:

As biometric systems become more prevalent, so do attempts to spoof or deceive them. Anti-spoofing techniques, such as liveness detection, are being developed to detect and prevent spoofing attacks. These techniques can distinguish between live and fake biometric samples, ensuring the integrity of the biometric authentication process.

9. Mobile Biometrics:

The integration of biometric sensors into smartphones and other mobile devices has made biometrics more accessible and user-friendly. Mobile biometrics enable convenient and secure authentication for various applications, including mobile payments and mobile banking.

10. Privacy-Preserving Biometrics:

Researchers are actively working on techniques that allow biometric data to be processed and matched without compromising privacy. Privacy-preserving biometric methods, such as secure enclaves, homomorphic encryption, and federated learning, aim to protect users’ sensitive biometric information while still enabling efficient authentication.

These are just a few examples of the current advances in biometrics.

In finishing this piece the field of biometrics is continuously evolving, driven by advancements in technology, machine learning, and data analytics, with a focus on improving accuracy, usability, and security.

So where will we be in five years?

I cant even imagine, however I know that we began our adaption pivot this morning at 10am.

The scam type that almost always goes under the radar

Tue, 12 May 2026 20:24:39 GMT

The scam type that almost always goes under the radar

by Amy Sarcevi c

Conning the average victim out of $20,000, the world of digital fraud is becoming increasingly costly, prompting the ACCC to call for a “ united front ” in tackling the issue earlier this year.

Much of the response so far has focused on big-ticket cases involving a high level of technical sophistication. While these measures are important, Rob Neely, Director of Sellsecurely.com says smaller, unsophisticated scams are going under the radar.

He claims a substantial portion of the $3billion worth of scam losses reported to the ACCC in 2022 involve small, “petty” fraud cases via virtual marketplaces. An even greater number of these may have failed to become known to the regulator, he warns.

“Our research tells us that scams involving the collection of deposits for online purchases that victims never receive are becoming extremely prevalent, Mr Neely said ahead of the Scams Summit .

“Essentially, a consumer is asked to cough up a small upfront sum to secure an item they want to purchase online, and it never shows up in the mail. Meanwhile, the perpetrator blocks all contact and becomes untraceable.”

According to Mr Neely’s research, these types of scams primarily affect men, who lose on average five times more than women, at $1277 per scam.

While they are inherently less harmful than major fraud cases, they represent an economy-wide issue that warrants more focus, he said.

“Of course, to individuals, they are not on the same par as being tricked out of your life savings. But they are still harming consumers, businesses and the broader economy,” he said.

Mr Neely says these scams are so easy to execute and get away with that they are attracting a different breed of perpetrator.

“People who weren’t criminals before now realise they can do 10 scams a day for $70 each and wind up on a $200k salary. It is such a low-risk, high-reward endeavour that even unlikely people get involved.

“It’s not financial whizzes or sophisticated gangs – it’s just regular people who know how to create a sense of urgency when executing a [perceived] ‘sale’.”

With some losses concerning this scam-type teetering between single and double figures, Mr Neely says they are less likely to be reported. Given their pettiness they may also be impossible to legislate against, he warned.

“I don’t see how police will get involved with a fraud involving $10. It’s implausible. This lack of consequence makes it all the more appealing for scammers to continue what they are doing on a broader scale.”

In place of police involvement, Mr Neely is advocating for fraud prevention budgets to be channelled into consumer education.

“Consumer awareness is such an essential piece in the scam prevention response, so it is both a surprise and concern that we have not already seen TV advertisements .

“We have such a large scam prevention team in government and an equally large budget, I find it hard to believe that we aren’t doing all we can to bring greater awareness to this issue. I personally think a big campaign, like we have already seen for driving under the influence of alcohol, is warranted for an issue of this breadth and depth.”

Thankfully, companies such as Sellsecurely.com are helping people to trade more safely online by collecting and delaying the release of funds for online purchases.

“We have an Air BnB-style platform, whereby the consumer pays us at the beginning of the sales cycle, and the seller only receives that payment when the consumer receives the product.

“It is like PayPal, but without the exploitation loophole, whereby buyers claim they never received a product that they actually did and become scammers themselves,” he said.

Talking more about his approach to scam prevention, his company’s recently completed research and his recommendations for a broader, industry-wide scam prevention response, Rob Neely will present at the upcoming Scams Summit .

This year’s event will be held 15-16 August at the PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney.

80% of all online scams targeting their customers originated from a Meta platforms.

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:25:07 GMT

T he most popular fraud is to simply sell items that don’t exist using a fake Facebook account.

British bank TSB released a shocking statistic last month – 80% of all online scams targeting their customers originated from a Meta platform. According to their research, there are three key scams: purchase, impersonation and investment fraud.

These online scams use three of Meta’s most popular services to target victims: Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp and Instagram.

Beware Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace has become an incredibly useful tool for people looking to buy and sell items. But with such a large potential audience, the website is also a magnet for scammers.

The most popular fraud is to simply sell items that don’t exist using a fake Facebook account.

The scammer accepts payment and then disappears with their victim’s money. According to TSB, 60% of all purchase fraud cases reported by their customers are because of Facebook Marketplace fraud.

Beware WhatsApp

By far the world’s most popular instant messaging app, WhatsApp has more than 2 billion users across the world. Or 2 billion potential victims of cybercrime.

The most popular, and effective WhatsApp fraud is known as an ‘impersonation scam’. Victims receive a message from someone pretending to be a friend or family member who needs money urgently to resolve an emergency, such as medical treatment, to pay an unexpected bill or some other immediate problem. If their victim sends money, the scammer simply disappears.

Beware Instagram

It is possible to make a fortune on the stock market – if you know what you are doing. Many scammers are now using Instagram to connect with potential victims who want to invest and make a profit.

Known as ‘money flipping’, scammers will advertise their low-cost investment expertise on Instagram. Victims are encouraged to make a bank transfer which the scammer will invest on their behalf – and major profits are guaranteed to follow. The problem is that once the transfer is made, the scammer disappears with the cash. TSB estimate that 67% of all investment fraud experienced by their customers is committed using Instagram.

How to stay safe

Meta’s platforms – Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp and Instagram – are indispensable for most people. They could not stop using these services even if they wanted to. So instead, we need to be a bit smarter about how we use them.

In most cases, you can spot a scam by taking a few minutes to consider what you are seeing and asking yourself some simple questions:

Is the deal too good to be true? – If you see an item for sale online at an unusually low price, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. Contact the buyer and ask if you can see the item ‘in real life’ before making payment – if they refuse, they are probably a scammer.
Does my friend really need money? – Call your friend or family member to check if they are really in trouble before sending money. It is highly likely that your contacts are fine – and that the urgent message is just a scammer.
Should I trust this person? – Investments can be extremely risky, and giving money to people on Instagram is downright dangerous. Always carefully research your investment options before making bank transfers – and don’t forget to ask advice from a professional (like your bank) first.

It’s worth remembering that these tips also work for any online service – not just Meta.

And finally, if you want to be 100% certain of not being scammed use SellSecurely.com

Australia's surge in scams reveals cost is far greater than financial losses.

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:15:44 GMT

Regulatory Intelligence Analysis

Speakers at the recent Scams Summit in Australia expressed a unified sentiment on several pressing concerns regarding the A$3.1 billion per-year problem of financial scams. These include the rise in financial scams driven by the surge in online marketplaces, as well as the shift to the New Payments Platform (NPP).

With the growth in NPP use, the faster settlement service (FSS) has further facilitated fraud due to its immediate nature, allowing fraudsters to move illicit funds instantly in a low-friction payments environment. Also crucial among these concerns were the need for greater government support to raise awareness of scams and the psychological impact on victims, a cost that may be unconsidered in many fraud conversations.

Rob Neely, founder and managing director of Sell Securely in Australia, made an urgent appeal to the government to revisit the 2022 scam report released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). There was a need to correlate it with other institutions’ findings, and issue an immediate call-to-action, he said.

In April 2023, the ACCC said Australians had reported A$3.1 billion in losses due to scams in the 2022 financial year. Research from Securely found this may be the tip of the iceberg.

“Our research findings told a completely different story. It found what the government didn’t know and that is, two in three Australians have been scammed and didn’t report it,” Neely said.

“So, it follows that the A$3.1 billion that they were talking about may actually be A$9.3 billion.”

To show the impact of A$9.3 billion within the Australian context, Neely compared it to the size of Qantas and furniture retailer Harvey Norman’s revenue. In relation to Australia’s GDP, the amount is “just under 1%.”

The potential scale of losses suggests that, at the very least, Australians are losing A$60 million per week to scams based on the A$3.1 billion figure. Neely said Australians could be losing A$178 million a week, according to Sell Securely’s data.

Amid these losses, the government committed A$86 million to crack down on scams.

Government engagement

Neely immediately sought an audience with Stephen Jones MP, assistant treasurer and minister for financial services, and the head of ACCC’s National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), to align information from both sides. He sought to develop action steps that could close the gap between the amount and frequency of scams and the productive interventions from all sectors, led by the government.

None of Neely’s repeated attempts to hold a meeting with the minister or the head of NASC ever succeeded, however. He was once in a meeting with a representative of NASC and pointed out the agency’s lack of understanding of the magnitude of online scams, especially through Meta-owned companies, such as Facebook.

“What was alarming … they had no idea what was going on in Facebook.