AI Romance Scam

What was the game has been changed? In the digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) and social media play important roles in shaping many aspects of our lives, including how we form relationships. Unfortunately, these advancements also provide new opportunities for cybercriminals. A particularly concerning trend is the rise of AI-powered dating scams. According to a recent report by Bitdefender, there has been a significant increase in AI-generated scams, especially targeting vulnerable individuals seeking romantic relationships online. The numbers are alarming, with millions of dollars lost and many victims emotionally and psychologically affected.

The Cyber Kill Chain: Exploitation Phase

Cyber Kill Chain and MITRE ATT&CK framework both focus on understanding and mitigating specific tactics used by attackers. In the Cyber Kill Chain, the Exploitation phase involves the attacker exploiting a vulnerability to deliver malicious code onto the target system. In AI dating scams, this phase involves cybercriminals using advanced AI tools to create believable fake identities, emotionally manipulate victims, and steal money or personal information.

 This phase directly corresponds to several techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those under the "Initial access", "Defense Evasion" and "Execution" tactics. For instance, techniques such as "Spearphishing Attachment" (T1598.002) and "Drive-by Compromise" (T1189) illustrate methods attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities and execute malicious code.

Real-World Example

Consider the case of Jane, a 45-year-old professional from Texas, who met a charming man named Alex on a popular dating app. Alex's profile was perfect: professionally taken photos, a well-written bio, and consistent communication that seemed too....

Author

Tarik Achoughi