AI Incidents
Real-world cases where AI systems caused harm, classified by risk domain and entity. Data sourced from
AIID and classified by MIT AI Risk Initiative. CC BY-SA 4.0
368 incidents
Purported Deepfake Images of Gráinne Seoige Reportedly Circulated During Ireland's 2024 General Election Campaign
A reported deepfake abuse campaign targeted Gráinne Seoige during her run in Ireland's 2024 general election campaign, when pornographic, purportedly AI-generated images of her were reportedly circulated online. Seoige later described the experience as humiliating and traumatic, and Gardaí said they were investigating the distribution of the material.
Teenager in Palma de Mallorca Allegedly Generated and Distributed Deepfake Nudes of Five Classmates
A teenager in Palma de Mallorca, Spain allegedly generated deepfake nudes of five classmates, reportedly taking their images from social media and using AI to alter them without their consent. He is reported to have shared the altered images with others.
Purported AI-Generated Videos Impersonating President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono Circulate on Social Media in Alleged Crypto Scam Campaigns
The Office of the President of Malta issued a public warning about purported deepfake videos and fabricated images impersonating President Myriam Spiteri Debono. The alleged AI-generated content was reportedly used to promote fraudulent financial schemes, primarily involving cryptocurrency, across social media platforms.
Alleged Deepfake Video Falsely Depicts Hollywood Stars in AI-Manipulated Protest Against Kanye West
A deepfake video allegedly depicted Scarlett Johansson, Jerry Seinfeld, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Steven Spielberg, Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron Cohen, Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lenny Kravitz, Adam Levine, Drake, Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Black, Mila Kunis, Ben Stiller, and Woody Allen protesting Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks. The video falsely attributed statements to them, using AI to manipulate their likenesses without consent.
AI-Generated Voice Purporting to Be Daughter Allegedly Used to Coerce $2,000 from Colorado Mother
In February 2025, a Colorado woman was scammed by a voice-cloning fraud in which criminals used what sounded like her daughter’s voice to stage a fake kidnapping. Under duress and believing her daughter was in danger, she wired $2,000 to Mexico. The scammers exploited generative AI to simulate the daughter’s voice and manipulated the victim psychologically. Law enforcement could not trace the perpetrators or recover the funds.
Michigan Woman Defrauded in Alleged Tinder Romance Scam Using Purportedly AI-Generated Video Calls
A Michigan woman, Beth Hyland, was reportedly defrauded of $26,000 in a romance scam conducted over Tinder, in which the perpetrator, "Richard," used purportedly AI-generated video technology during Skype calls to build trust. The scammer, allegedly part of Nigerian Yahoo Boys networks, reportedly posed as a French construction manager and claimed to need funds for legal and translation services. Hyland reportedly sent funds over several months. She later spoke at a U.S. Senate hearing on dating app fraud.
Bolivian Criminal Network Allegedly Used Deepfake of Education Minister to Defraud at Least 19 Victims in Employment Scam
A Bolivian criminal network allegedly used AI-generated deepfake audio of Education Minister Omar Véliz Ramos to impersonate him in phone calls, defrauding at least 19 victims in a fake job scheme. Scammers reportedly lured applicants via social media, used cloned voices for credibility, and demanded payment via QR codes. Authorities uncovered the scheme, seizing devices and arresting multiple suspects, including one orchestrating the fraud from prison. Losses reportedly exceed $720,000 USD.
Attacker Reportedly Bypasses AI Safety Filters to Obtain Guidance for Non-Fatal Hammer Assault in Denmark
A 22-year-old man in Ringsted, Denmark allegedly used an AI chatbot to research how to injure his former father-in-law "as much as possible" without killing him, reportedly bypassing safety guardrails by posing as an author. He then allegedly attacked the victim on with a rubber hammer, striking him twice in the head. The court reportedly found him guilty of aggravated assault, noting the AI-assisted planning as a central element of the case.
Alleged Deepfake of Whoopi Goldberg Reportedly Used in Fake Weight-Loss Supplement Ads on Instagram
Whoopi Goldberg reportedly warned viewers of The View about a purportedly AI-generated scam using her likeness to promote fraudulent weight-loss products on Instagram. Goldberg reportedly stated that she had no involvement with the ads.
AI-Aided Scam in Thailand Allegedly Impersonates Police to Defraud 163 Victims
Thai police arrested Ramil Pantawong and Thanawut Kanyaphan for allegedly using AI technology to impersonate police officers in a call scam. Based in Poipet, Cambodia, the gang tricked 163 victims, the most prominent of whom was Thai-British beauty queen Charlotte Austin, who lost 4 million baht (approximately $118,000 USD). Victims were falsely told they were under investigation and instructed to transfer money.
Chatbots Allegedly Used in Romance Scams Targeting Nearly One-Third of New Zealand's Dating App Users
A Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report found that nearly one-third of New Zealand dating app users have been targeted by romance scams, with AI chatbots allegedly playing a growing role. The report, based on a January 2025 survey, indicates that 50% of dating app users believed they had interacted with AI-generated messages. Private investigators report cases where victims engage in long-term virtual relationships with fraudsters, often sending money.
Alleged Deepfake Scam Reportedly Promoted Trump Golden Eagles Project as Investment Opportunity
Reports surfaced of a purportedly AI-generated scam falsely promoting the Trump Golden Eagles Project. The purported deepfake videos of Donald Trump, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, and Elon Musk are alleged to have claimed that buyers could trade collectible coins for cash or Tesla stock. A Bay Area veteran reportedly lost $2,500 believing he would earn millions. The scam reportedly circulated via Telegram, and Bank of America denied any involvement.
Purportedly AI-Assisted Impersonation of Martin Henderson in Romance Scam Leads to Reported NZ$375,000 Fraud
An alleged online romance scam exploiting AI-assisted impersonation defrauded a woman, "Lea," of NZ$375,000 over two years. The scammer allegedly used AI-generated voice messages and deceptive text communication to pose as New Zealand actor Martin Henderson and is reported to have built up a relationship beginning in early 2023. The victim, believing the scam was real, reportedly relocated to New Zealand in December 2024, only discovering the fraud in February 2025.
Yahoo Boys Allegedly Using AI-Generated News Videos to Blackmail Sextortion Victims
Scammers, allegedly linked to the Yahoo Boys, are using AI-generated news videos to blackmail victims in sextortion schemes. The videos impersonate news organizations, featuring fabricated reports that accuse victims of crimes, including explicit content distribution. Tutorials for creating these clips are reportedly shared on Telegram, with scammers leveraging the fake broadcasts to pressure victims into paying.
Plymouth, Massachusetts Resident Reportedly Used AI Chatbots CrushOn.ai and JanitorAI to Harass and Intimidate Victims
In January 2025, James Florence Jr. of Plymouth, MA, agreed to plead guilty to cyberstalking charges involving the alleged use of AI tools like CrushOn.ai and JanitorAI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports the harassment spanned 2014–2024, though AI-driven tactics reportedly began around 2017. Florence allegedly created deepfake pornographic images, programmed AI chatbots to impersonate victims, distributed doctored content, exposed personal information, and encouraged online harassment.