AI-Based Service ‘ReScam’ Designed to Waste Scammers’ Time

Netsafe has relaunched ReScam.org, an advanced AI tool aimed at wasting scammers' time and preventing them from targeting new victims, as well as providing entertaining bits to the users.

Netsafe is a prominent online safety organization in New Zealand, known for its award-winning helpline that provides a trusted pathway for reporting online scams, as well as a range of products designed to help people protect against online threats.

ReScam uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence to engage scammers in endless email conversations. By forwarding suspicious emails to “me@rescam.org” the AI generates fake personas and replies, effectively wasting the scammers' time. With an ever-expanding vocabulary and multiple personalities, the system ensures scammers remain unaware they are interacting with an AI-powered chatbot.

Netsafe's CEO, Brent Carey, highlights that the new model has been under development for over a year, incorporating trials with friends and family. The revamped ReScam draws on the capabilities of OpenAI's ChatGPT, engaging scammers in perpetual dialogues that hinder their ability to con real victims.

ReScam's revival comes at a crucial time, as scams become increasingly sophisticated, with the fraudsters now also using AI tools to deliver more convincing baits. Traditional signs of scams, such as poor grammar or low-quality graphics, are becoming less reliable.

ReScam not only disrupts scammer operations but also provides users with a replay feature. When users forward a scam email, they receive a highlight clip of the AI's interaction with the scammer, which can be shared on social media. This feature aims to generate viral publicity and further educate the public about scam tactics, as well as to give users satisfaction through amusement.

While ReScam offers a novel approach to tackling scams, the best way to protect from these threats is blocking scam calls and messages based on crowdsourced data, so marking/tagging suspicious incoming messages as such is key. This can be done on email clients, mobile devices, etc., helping anti-spam filters identify emerging threats and reduce their delivery rates. Essentially, the less efficient scam operations get, the less financial sense they make, so hitting them at the core is crucial.

ReScam and similar platforms that may launch in the future, leveraging generative AI, represent a significant step in the fight against online scams and can educate the public. However, a coordinated effort involving government, banks, and telecommunications companies is essential to drive broader systemic changes and enhance cyber security measures across the globe.