A new way we’re helping others track frauds and scams online

Malicious actors are not only misusing AI to conduct new types of scams, but also to enhance well-established fraud techniques, such as those exploiting significant events. Scammers frequently target elections, popular shows, sporting events, and humanitarian disasters with scams and fraudulent campaigns promoting fake products and services. By using AI tools, scammers are able to respond quickly to breaking news, making fraudulent appeals seem more credible and timely.

Recent examples of this type of scam include the April solar eclipse which triggered a surge in scams, with scammers exploiting the event by promoting deceptive products, including products falsely claiming affiliation with NASA. Scams related to natural disasters have also been common throughout the year, for example fake charities aiming to defraud people seeking to contribute to relief efforts.

Google has dedicated sensitive events policies including for Ads, monetizing on YouTube and Play which prohibit products or services that exploit, dismiss, or condone the sensitive event, or that use keywords around a sensitive event in an attempt to drive traffic.