BOTHERED BY SPAM AND PHISHING EMAILS?

Bothered by spam and phishing emails? This bot can waste months of a spammer's time, and produces some hilarious results... You Can Use This AI Chatbot to Get Back at Email Scammers.

Ever paused to consider the staggering figure of $12 billion? That's the eye-watering sum lost globally to cunning phishing scams. But here's the kicker: not all of these fraudulent attempts are as transparent as an email supposedly from your beloved grandma, pleading for a quick cash infusion.

No, the world of phishing is far more sophisticated, ensnaring unsuspecting individuals in its digital web. Surprisingly, according to a comprehensive study conducted by Intel Security, a whopping 80% of respondents admitted to misidentifying at least one phishing email. It's a statistic that underscores the pervasive nature of these online threats and the ease with which even the savviest among us can fall victim.

Enter Netsafe, the heroic non-profit organization based in New Zealand, donning its virtual armor to combat the scourge of online scammers with its ingenious initiative: Re:scam. Picture this: a cleverly designed chat-bot, powered by cutting-edge artificial intelligence, engaging scammers in a witty duel, effectively wasting their precious time or until they wise up to the ruse.

The exchanges that unfold between this digital warrior and the scammers are nothing short of comedic gold. Take, for instance, a recent encounter where the bot, posing as an unsuspecting mark, quipped in response to a suspiciously official email from a bogus "Bureau of African Affairs": "Well, hey there! Got your letter. Seems pretty official! Never been 'beneficiaried' before, so just checking I'm the right guy before I get too excited."

But the brilliance of Re:scam extends beyond mere entertainment value. Every engagement with the bot not only wastes scammers' precious time but also serves as invaluable data points, enriching its understanding of scamming tactics and enhancing its ability to thwart future attempts.

In just a few short days, Re:scam has emerged as a formidable adversary, dispatching over 26,000 emails and effectively squandering more than three months' worth of scammers' time. And here's a tidbit that's sure to elicit a chuckle: the longest exchange to date spanned a whopping 20 emails, a testament to the bot's unwavering commitment to outwit its digital adversaries.

So, the next time you find yourself staring at a suspicious email, instead of hitting delete and moving on, consider forwarding it to Netsafe. By doing so, you not only contribute to the collective effort in combating online fraud but also stand to receive a summary of the ensuing banter between the bot and the scammer—a delightful bonus amidst the serious business of safeguarding our digital realm. It's a win-win proposition that deals a blow to scammers while providing a moment of levity in an otherwise serious battle.