Digital fraud existed long before the arrival of generative artificial intelligence, and for years criminals have used techniques such as phishing, identity theft, fake calls, romance scams, and investment-related scams. What is currently changing is the ability to produce convincing content quickly, inexpensively, and in a personalized manner. AI makes it possible to automate certain tasks that previously required more time, technical knowledge, or human involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the simplest examples can be found in the creation of fraudulent messages. In the past, many emails used for phishing contained grammatical errors, unnatural phrases, or poor translations that could raise suspicion among users. AI tools can help draft much more fluent messages adapted to the victim's language, reducing some of the signals that traditionally made it possible to recognize a scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This transformation is especially relevant because digital fraud relies heavily on social engineering. Criminals do not always need to directly breach a computer system if they manage to convince a person to voluntarily provide a password, make a transfer, or download a file. AI can become an additional tool for making such manipulation more credible and effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n INTERPOL warned in March 2026 that financial fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated and that AI is playing a growing role in these operations. According to the organization\u2019s global assessment, AI-enhanced fraud can be 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. The organization also pointed out that certain artificial intelligence tools can be used to automate different stages of a fraudulent campaign, from identifying targets to carrying out the deception. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 54% of Latin Americans surveyed in the cited study consider the use of AI to spread false information to be a significant threat. This concern is related to the ability of generative AI systems to produce enormous amounts of content in a short time. A person who intends to spread a false story can use automated tools to write texts, create images, and develop different versions of the same message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disinformation does not necessarily have to be sophisticated to be effective. In many cases, it is enough to present an image out of context, accompany it with a false explanation, and get enough people to share it. When the content begins to circulate rapidly, the speed of propagation can exceed users\u2019 ability to verify its authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social networks make this problem even more complex. Content that generates surprise, outrage, or fear tends to trigger an emotional reaction and can be shared before the person verifies the information. Artificial intelligence can increase the quantity and variety of available content, while AI tools make it possible to generate new versions quickly, making it even more difficult to distinguish between a legitimate creation and a piece deliberately designed to manipulate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This makes it necessary to develop stronger verification habits. A surprising photograph does not prove that an event occurred, and an apparently authentic video is not, by itself, definitive proof either. When information has important consequences or seems extraordinary, it is advisable to check whether it has also been reported by independent and reliable sources, especially when the content may have been generated or modified using AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 46% of respondents expressed concern about how artificial intelligence companies may use personal data. This concern becomes especially important because AI tools can receive large amounts of information voluntarily provided by users. Photographs, documents, conversations, and other content may contain information that a person had not intended to share beyond the immediate purpose for which they used a particular application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Privacy is also related to the amount of information that already exists about each person on the internet. Social media profiles, public photographs, professional pages, and posts can reveal information about an individual\u2019s location, profession, relationships, and activities. When this information is combined, it can become a valuable resource for those attempting to build personalized attacks, including through AI tools capable of processing and connecting large amounts of data. For this reason, using an artificial intelligence tool requires paying attention to the type of information entered into it. It is not advisable to provide passwords, card numbers, identity documents, or other highly sensitive data without knowing the platform\u2019s data processing and protection conditions. The ease of using an AI tool should not lead us to forget that personal data is also part of the attack surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Privacy becomes even more important when considering the possibility that personal information may be used to impersonate identities. A public photograph can serve as a reference for creating false content with the help of AI, while professional information can be used to construct a communication that appears to come from a coworker. The problem, therefore, is not only who can access the data, but also what they could do with it afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The transformation of the labor market is one of the most frequent debates surrounding artificial intelligence. AI systems capable of generating texts, analyzing information, creating images, or automating certain tasks can modify the functions of millions of workers. However, the Kaspersky survey shows that this fear ranks lower than the risks related to fraud, disinformation, and privacy. The 32% of participants expressed concern about the possibility that AI will eliminate jobs. This figure does not mean that the impact on employment is small, but rather that, among the concerns evaluated, other risks generate greater unease. The difference is interesting because it shows that many people are viewing artificial intelligence primarily from a security perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One possible explanation is that the risks of fraud and manipulation can be perceived as immediate threats. A person does not need to work in a technology industry to encounter a false message, a suspicious call, or a manipulated image. AI, in this sense, is already part of the everyday environment and not merely part of a debate about the future of employment. This also demonstrates that the conversation about artificial intelligence must include cybersecurity. It is not enough to discuss how much productivity can increase or which professions will be transformed. It is also necessary to analyze how to protect users against new forms of manipulation that may emerge as AI tools become more accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Latin American concern coincides with warnings issued by international organizations. INTERPOL pointed out in its 2026 global financial fraud assessment that scams are expanding and becoming more professional, with increasingly close links between cybercrime, organized crime, and other illicit activities. The organization estimated that global losses resulting from financial fraud reached approximately 442 billion dollars during 2025. The incorporation of artificial intelligence can increase the operational capacity of these networks. A campaign that previously required numerous workers to write messages, create materials, and communicate with victims can incorporate AI tools to perform certain tasks more quickly. Technology, therefore, can reduce some of the costs associated with fraud and facilitate its expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n INTERPOL has also warned about the development of AI systems capable of performing tasks autonomously. Although these technologies do not yet represent the dominant scenario in digital fraud, their possible evolution raises concerns because they could be used to coordinate different stages of a criminal operation. The concept of agentic artificial intelligence becomes important precisely because of its potential ability to plan and execute sequences of actions with less human intervention. This development demonstrates that the problem requires international cooperation. Criminals can operate from one country, use infrastructure located in another, target victims in a third country, and subsequently transfer the money through international financial systems. No country can address on its own a phenomenon that operates across borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is another phenomenon that demonstrates the extent to which criminals are taking advantage of the interest in artificial intelligence. Kaspersky reported during 2026 on tens of thousands of attacks in which malicious programs were presented as AI-related tools or applications. Attackers take advantage of the popularity of well-known services to convince users that they are downloading a legitimate application. The mechanism can be especially effective because the victim is not necessarily looking for anything suspicious. They may be trying to install a tool they consider useful for working, studying, generating images, or writing texts. If the website, the application name, or the visual presentation appear authentic, the user may lower their guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kaspersky reported more than 92,000 cyberattacks related to fake artificial intelligence applications between January and May 2026. Criminals used the popularity of AI platforms to distribute malicious files, demonstrating that the fascination with this technology itself can become a resource for social engineering. The risk lies not only in using AI with malicious intentions, but also in downloading a supposed AI tool that was actually created to infect a device. Therefore, downloading applications from official sources remains a basic recommendation. It is also important to carefully check the developer\u2019s name, the website address, and the characteristics of the program before installing it. A tool that promises free and unlimited access to a popular platform may be especially attractive, but precisely that promise can be used as bait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faced with this new reality, one of the main security measures is to incorporate a second verification step when a communication involves money, confidential information, or an urgent action. If a person receives an unexpected request for a transfer, they should not confirm the transaction solely because the message appears authentic. It is preferable to contact the supposed sender directly using a number or channel that is already known. It is also important to be wary of situations that attempt to prevent the victim from thinking. Phrases such as \u201cyou must do it now,\u201d \u201cdon\u2019t tell anyone,\u201d or \u201cyour account will be blocked immediately\u201d seek to reduce the ability to analyze the situation. When a communication generates an intense emotion, stopping for a few minutes may be precisely the best security decision, even when the content has been generated or adapted using AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Independent verification is especially important when there is a suspicion of voice cloning or audiovisual manipulation. If a family member calls asking for money, the situation can be verified through another communication channel or by asking a question whose answer cannot be easily deduced from publicly available information. In the business environment, requests for transfers or changes to bank accounts should follow internal protocols that do not depend exclusively on a call or an email. Information should also be verified before sharing it. A viral post is not necessarily true, even if it has thousands of comments or has been shared by people you know. Seeking confirmation from independent sources, checking the date of a photograph, and verifying the original context are simple measures that can prevent the spread of false content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsibility for AI-driven fraud does not belong only to individual users. Companies also need to update their security mechanisms because many attacks can begin with an employee receiving an apparently legitimate communication. Traditional training focused exclusively on detecting emails with spelling errors is no longer sufficient. Organizations should establish procedures for sensitive operations. A significant transfer, a bank account change, or an urgent request for information should require additional confirmation mechanisms. These controls can considerably reduce the risk of an attacker managing to manipulate an employee through a false identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Artificial intelligence can also be used to defend against these threats. Cybersecurity companies already use machine learning systems to identify suspicious behavior and detect patterns related to different types of fraud. This means that the same technology that can be used by criminals can also become a protection tool. The challenge is to maintain a balanced technological race. If attackers use AI to increase the speed of their operations, organizations need technologies capable of analyzing large amounts of information and responding quickly. But no automated system should completely replace human judgment in high-impact decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Artificial intelligence will continue to evolve and it will become increasingly difficult to distinguish certain artificial content from that created by people. AI tools for generating images, voices, texts, and videos will continue to improve, while criminals will look for new ways to take advantage of them. At the same time, companies, governments, and international organizations will have to develop increasingly sophisticated detection, prevention, and cooperation mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this context, the human ability to stop and verify information will remain essential. A second communication channel, an additional search, or a direct call can make the difference between a legitimate communication and a scam. Technology can be extremely advanced, but a prudent decision made in time continues to be one of the simplest and most effective defenses against the risks associated with AI. The growth of fraud driven by artificial intelligence also demonstrates that digital security can no longer be considered an issue exclusively for specialists. Anyone who uses a phone, a bank account, a social network, or an AI tool is part of this new ecosystem. Therefore, learning to recognize signs of manipulation, verify information, and act cautiously should become an everyday skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 68% of Latin Americans who identify fraud as their main fear regarding artificial intelligence are ultimately expressing a concern about trust. People want to benefit from a technology capable of offering enormous possibilities, but they need to know that they will be able to distinguish between an authentic communication and one designed to deceive them. In an era in which AI can create a convincing voice, image, text, or video in a matter of seconds, the ability to question, verify, and think before acting can become one of the most important security tools of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For organizations, this scenario also raises the need to have a cybersecurity strategy prepared for the new risks associated with artificial intelligence. At ITD Consulting, we help companies strengthen their technological security, identify risks, and develop solutions that enable them to face an increasingly complex digital environment. If you want to assess how to better protect your organization against current and future threats, you can contact our team at <\/strong>info@itdconsulting.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IA y fraude en Am\u00e9rica Latina: El nuevo desaf\u00edo de confiar en lo que vemos y escuchamos. ITD Consulting te brinda un an\u00e1lisis completo.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":36753,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[459,69,71,89,81,68],"class_list":["post-36749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-noticias","tag-459","tag-ciberataque","tag-ciberseguridad","tag-ia","tag-latinoamerica","tag-seguridad"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36749"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36749\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36754,"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36749\/revisions\/36754"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"ITD](\"https:\/\/itdconsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/itd-consulting-backup-acronis-vds-vps-ciberseguridad-microsoft-365-IA-confianza-1-1024x768.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFear of Disinformation Is Also Increasing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Personal Data Is Another Concern<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Job Losses Are a Concern, but They Take Second Place<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFraud Is Becoming an International Problem<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fake AI Applications Are Also a Threat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Can Users Protect Themselves?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Companies Must Also Adapt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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