A new investigation has revealed that organized fraud networks operating in Southeast Asia are using ChatGPT to create fake identities and messages, intensifying global concerns over AI misuse. The networks reportedly target U.S.-based real estate agents and cryptocurrency investors through a sophisticated form of online fraud known as “pig-butchering,” where victims are groomed over time before being defrauded of large sums of money.

According to victim testimonies, some of these fraud operations are linked to compounds where trafficked workers, including Kenyan nationals, are forced to work under harsh and abusive conditions. These individuals are often lured with promises of legitimate jobs, only to find themselves coerced into scamming activities once they arrive. Accounts of physical abuse, confiscation of passports, and constant surveillance have emerged, painting a grim picture of the human trafficking component behind these scams.

Investigators say the use of ChatGPT and other AI tools has made scams more convincing and harder to detect. The technology is reportedly used to generate natural-sounding messages, create backstories for fake profiles, and even draft emotionally persuasive responses to build trust with victims. Experts warn that this marks a new phase in cybercrime where AI lowers the barrier for conducting large-scale, personalized fraud.

Authorities in several countries, including the United States and nations in Southeast Asia, are increasing efforts to crack down on these operations. Human rights groups are also urging governments to rescue trafficked workers and dismantle the compounds where these scams are orchestrated.

The revelations underscore the dual-use nature of AI tools and highlight the urgent need for safeguards, cross-border cooperation, and ethical oversight to prevent their misuse in criminal enterprises.