Phone scams are a growing menace, targeting unsuspecting individuals with convincing tactics. To combat this, UK telecom company O2 has introduced a creative solution: Daisy, an AI-powered scambaiter disguised as a sweet, elderly grandmother. Designed to waste scammers’ time, Daisy engages them in lengthy conversations, keeping them occupied and away from real victims.
Part of O2’s “Swerve the Scammers” campaign, Daisy not only frustrates fraudsters but also helps expose their tactics. By combining advanced AI with public awareness efforts, O2 is turning the tables on scammers, proving that technology can be a powerful ally in the fight against fraud.
Meet Daisy: O2’s AI grandmother fighting phone scams
Daisy’s lifelike persona is crafted to mimic an elderly grandmother, complete with meandering anecdotes and a voice designed to exploit scammers’ biases about older individuals. By engaging fraudsters in lengthy, meaningless conversations about her fictional knitting projects or invented family drama, Daisy prevents them from targeting real consumers.
The AI tool has been remarkably effective, keeping scammers occupied for up to 40 minutes. By providing fake personal information and fabricated bank details, Daisy frustrates fraudsters and disrupts their operations.
How Daisy’s AI technology outsmarts scammers?
O2 developed Daisy in collaboration with experienced scambaiters, including YouTube’s Jim Browning, to ensure the AI’s strategies are as effective as possible. Daisy’s phone number is even added to scammer databases to proactively attract calls, ensuring she can intercept fraudulent attempts before they reach vulnerable individuals.
Murray MacKenzie, Director of Fraud at Virgin Media O2, emphasised Daisy’s dual role: “Daisy not only outsmarts scammers at their own game but also reminds people to remain cautious. Fraudsters can be extremely persuasive, but they’re not always who they seem.”
O2’s broader mission: Strengthening scam prevention in UK
The campaign aims to educate the public about scam tactics while encouraging vigilance. O2 has been blocking millions of scam calls and texts monthly and urges consumers to forward suspicious messages to 7726, a free reporting service. The company is also advocating for broader systemic changes, such as the establishment of a dedicated fraud minister and a national task force to address scams.
Daisy’s efforts have been amplified by public figures like Amy Hart, a reality TV star who once fell victim to a £5,000 scam. Together, they’ve highlighted the importance of recognizing and avoiding fraudulent schemes.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up, report it, and let Daisy handle the rest. With her endless patience and clever tactics, she ensures scammers are no match for this AI-powered “grandmother.”
𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥!
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