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
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.
Nottingham Gallery Owner Allegedly Defrauded by Deepfake Impersonating Pierce Brosnan, Reportedly Leading to Business Closure
Nottingham gallery owner Simone Simms was allegedly deceived over many months by a deepfake impersonating actor Pierce Brosnan. Believing she was in direct contact with Brosnan, she reportedly arranged an art exhibition and sold £20,000 in tickets. When the real Brosnan denied involvement, Simms reportedly canceled the event and issued refunds. Despite acting in good faith, she reportedly faced reputational and financial harm, which led to the gallery’s closure in August 2024.
Reportedly Viral USAID Disinformation Video Linked to Russian-Aligned Campaign Known as Matryoshka
A video that reportedly went viral on X in early February 2025 claimed USAID paid celebrities to visit Ukraine. The clip mimicked E! News branding and included a narrator with a British accent. Individuals and organizations named denied any involvement. Researchers attributed the video to Matryoshka (AKA Operation Overload and Storm-1679), an influence campaign suspected of using AI-generated narration and editing, though tool use has not been independently confirmed.
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.
AI Voice Scam Allegedly Defrauds Game and Coffee Store in Havre, Montana
A Montana business, Sugar and Dice, was reportedly targeted by an AI voice scam that cloned the store owner's voice to deceive an employee over the phone. The scammer allegedly spoofed both the owner's and the employee's phone numbers, making the call appear legitimate. Believing he was following his employer’s instructions, the employee unknowingly compromised financial details. The store suffered monetary losses but plans to recover.
Fraudsters Allegedly Use AI-Generated Voice of Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto to Scam Business Leaders
In February 2025, scammers allegedly used AI voice cloning to impersonate Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, calling top business leaders and reportedly claiming to need funds to free kidnapped journalists. Massimo Moratti was allegedly the only confirmed victim to send nearly €1M, wiring it to accounts in the Netherlands and Hong Kong before realizing the fraud. The scam involved spoofed government numbers, deepfake audio, and international money laundering networks. Police reportedly froze the funds.
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.
Alleged Deepfake Scam Uses BBC Presenter Naga Munchetty’s Image to Promote Fraudulent Investment Scheme
BBC presenter Naga Munchetty was reportedly targeted in an AI-generated scam using deepfake images and fake news articles to promote a fraudulent investment scheme. Scam ads on social media allegedly featured manipulated images of Munchetty and linked to a fake BBC article directing users to a cyber trading website. The BBC legal team is reported to have taken action to remove the fraudulent site.
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.