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
538 incidents
Purported AI-Generated Deepfake of Steven Bartlett Reportedly Used to Promote Fake WhatsApp Investment Group
A purported deepfake video of entrepreneur and BBC Dragon's Den investor Steven Bartlett circulated on Instagram in April 2025, allegedly claiming to offer exclusive stock tips and inviting users to join a WhatsApp trading group. The reported video referenced U.S. tariff policies to entice viewers with promises of rapid returns. Bartlett's team confirmed the video was fake and worked with platforms to remove it, warning that scammers were attempting to harvest contact details for further fraud.
Scammers Reportedly Use AI Tools to Impersonate Students and Obtain Federal Aid
Between 2021 and 2025, California community colleges faced a surge in fraudulent applications—now estimated at 34% of all submissions. Reports indicate that scammers used generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, to produce identity-verifying responses that enabled them to impersonate students and obtain financial aid. The fraud allegedly resulted in over $13 million in losses over the past year alone, straining administrative and instructional systems and displacing legitimate applicants.
Purported Deepfake Video Circulated Among Students Targets Orrington, Maine Educator
An Orrington, Maine public school teacher was the target of a purported AI‑generated deepfake video depicting their likeness, according to the AOS 47 superintendent. The manipulated content was reportedly shared and circulated by some students. The district confirmed the video had no basis in reality, reported the hosting account, and had the post removed, while affirming support for the teacher and warning about the harms of AI‑based impersonation.
Alleged Deepfake Identity Scam Uses Miami Beach Realtor's Likeness to Defraud Victim in the United Kingdom in Purported Romance Scam
A scammer reportedly used deepfake video technology to impersonate Miami Beach realtor Andres Asion, creating fake videos with his face and a voice clone to catfish a woman in the UK. The victim communicated for about a year before traveling to Miami, where Asion discovered the fraud. The videos appeared convincing even to friends and family.
Microsoft Reportedly Blocks 1.6 Million Bot Signup Attempts Per Hour Amid Global AI-Driven Fraud Surge
Between April 2024 and April 2025, Microsoft reportedly blocked 1.6 million bot signups per hour and disrupted $4 billion in fraud attempts linked to AI-enhanced scams. The company's Cyber Signals report details how generative AI is being used to fabricate realistic e-commerce sites, job offers, customer service bots, and phishing lures. Fraud actors now automate mass-deceptive campaigns with fake reviews, deepfakes, and cloned brand domains at unprecedented scale and speed.
AI-Powered Presentation Tool Gamma Implicated in Multi-Stage Phishing Campaign
Attackers reportedly exploited Gamma, an AI-powered presentation tool, to create convincing presentation pages that hosted links to a spoofed Microsoft SharePoint login portal. The phishing flow allegedly used compromised email accounts, Cloudflare Turnstile for bot evasion, and adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) tactics to validate credentials in real time and capture session cookies. The campaign aimed to bypass MFA and compromise accounts.
Alleged Deepfake Investment Scam Uses Economist David Rosenberg's Likeness on Meta Platforms
Fraudsters allegedly used AI-generated content and social media ads to impersonate economist David Rosenberg and promote a fraudulent investment scheme. Victims were reportedly directed to WhatsApp groups with fake stock tips, resulting in substantial financial losses, with some exceeding $500,000. The ads reportedly appeared on Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Rosenberg and his family reported the scam to authorities.
Alleged AI-Generated Clone of Exante Brokerage Used to Defraud U.S. Investor via JPMorgan Account
Scammers used AI tools to clone the broker Exante and defraud at least one U.S. victim by registering a JPMorgan Chase account and replicating Exante’s trading interface. AI-generated fake documents, deepfakes, and cloned websites enabled the scheme. Exante, which does not operate in the U.S., confirmed the fraud and filed reports with multiple U.S. agencies.
Deepfake Job Applicant Allegedly Used AI Tools to Apply for Remote Role at U.S. Security Startup
Voice authentication startup Pindrop Security reported a job candidate used deepfake software and other AI tools in an attempted scam. This is part of a growing trend in international scammers using AI tools to apply for remote US-based jobs, sometimes successfully.
Malaysian Teenager Allegedly Arrested for Creating and Selling AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Schoolmates and Alumni in Johor
Authorities in Johor, Malaysia reportedly arrested a 16-year-old student who allegedly used AI-enabled tools to generate and sell deepfake images depicting schoolmates and former students. According to police, the images were created from social media photos and distributed online for payment. The alleged activity affected dozens of victims, including minors, some of whom may have been unaware of the misuse.
Reported Darknet Launch of Xanthorox AI Introduces Autonomous Cyberattack Platform
Xanthorox AI is a malicious, modular AI system released on darknet forums in early 2025. Designed from scratch for offensive cyber operations, it runs on private infrastructure and includes models for code generation, phishing, malware, social engineering, and real-time voice/image input. Its release represents a deliberate deployment of an autonomous attack platform.
Alleged Deepfake Investment Scam in Spain Defrauds 208 Victims of €19 million ($20.9 million)
Spanish police arrested six individuals allegedly behind a €19M ($20.9M) global investment scam powered by AI. The operation used deepfake ads featuring national celebrities to deceive victims, many of whom were selected through targeting algorithms. Scammers posed as financial advisors and fake officials, cycling through romance baiting, investment fraud, and recovery scams. AI-generated content amplified trust and engagement.
Hong Kong Syndicate Allegedly Used AI-Generated Facial Composites to Open Bank Accounts
Hong Kong police reportedly arrested eight individuals accused of using purportedly AI-generated facial composites to open bank accounts with altered ID photos. Of 44 applications, 30 reportedly succeeded after passing online identity checks. The accounts were then allegedly used to apply for loans and make credit card purchases totaling HK$860,000, and to launder over HK$1.2 million in suspected criminal proceeds. Police linked the operation to local triad-affiliated fraud networks.
Purported Deepfake Depicts Altercation Between Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape
A purported AI‑generated deepfake video circulated online falsely depicting a physical altercation between Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape. The footage reportedly caused public confusion and risked damaging relations between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. Toroama reportedly condemned the video as false and malicious, as well as potentially destabilizing, urging stronger action against misleading AI‑generated content.
Deepfake of Bermuda Premier David Burt Promotes Investment Scam Using Royal Gazette Branding
The Government of Bermuda warned the public about a deepfake video circulating on Facebook that falsely portrayed Premier David Burt promoting a government investment scheme. The deepfake video reportedly mimicked the branding of The Royal Gazette and was linked to fraudulent social media accounts. Authorities confirmed the content was fake and urged the public to report such scams and to be vigilant about them.