Microsoft Thwarts US$4 Billion In Fraud Attempts As AI-Driven Scams Surge
Microsoft said it blocked nearly US$4 billion in fraud attempts between April 2024 and April 2025, highlighting the scale and sophistication of cybercrime threats amid a global rise in AI-powered scams.
According to the latest Cyber Signals report, Microsoft rejected 49,000 fraudulent partner enrolments and prevented approximately 1.6 million bot sign-up attempts per hour, as AI tools continue to lower the barrier for cybercriminals.
Generative AI tools are now used to craft convincing fake websites, job scams, and phishing campaigns with deepfakes and cloned voices. Microsoft observed a growing trend of AI-assisted scams originating from regions like China and Germany, where digital marketplaces are most active.
Threat actors are now able to build fraudulent e-commerce websites and customer service bots in minutes, leveraging AI-generated content to mislead consumers into trusting fake storefronts and reviews. These deceptive practices have become increasingly difficult to detect.
Microsoft's multi-layered response includes domain impersonation protection, scareware blockers, typo protection, and fake job detection systems across Microsoft Edge, LinkedIn, and other platforms.
Windows Quick Assist has also been enhanced with in-product warnings and fraud detection. The tool now blocks over 4,400 suspicious connection attempts daily, thanks to Digital Fingerprinting and AI-driven risk signals.
Scammers continue to exploit job seekers by generating fake listings, AI-written interviews, and phishing campaigns. Microsoft recommends job platforms enforce multifactor authentication and monitor deepfake-generated interviews to mitigate risks.
Meanwhile, groups like Storm-1811 have impersonated IT support via Windows Quick Assist, gaining unauthorised device access without using AI. Microsoft has since strengthened safeguards and suspended accounts linked to such abuse.
As part of its Secure Future Initiative, Microsoft introduced a new policy in January 2025 requiring all product teams to perform fraud risk assessments during the design phase. The goal is to embed security measures directly into the architecture of products and services.
Corporate Vice-President of Anti-Fraud and Product Abuse, Kelly Bissell, said Microsoft's defence strategy relies not only on technology but also public education and industry collaboration. Microsoft is working closely with global enforcement agencies through the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) to dismantle criminal infrastructures.
'Cybercrime is a trillion-dollar problem. AI gives us the ability to respond faster, but it also requires all of us—tech firms, regulators, and users—to work together,' said Bissell.
To stay protected, consumers are advised to: Verify job listings and company legitimacy.
Avoid unsolicited offers via text or personal emails.
Be wary of websites offering 'too good to be true' deals.
Use browsers with fraud protection and never share personal or financial information with unverified sources. Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
16 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Trade talks 'progressing well', Malaysia and US aim to finalise by 90-day deadline
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United States are aiming to finalise tariff negotiations before the 90-day pause on implementation expires, with both parties agreeing to intensify efforts toward a mutually acceptable outcome for key stakeholders in both countries. Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry today said its separate meetings with US Trade Representative ambassador Jamieson Greer and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick had made positive progress. "The Malaysian delegation led by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz ensured that the meetings with the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce was also optimised as a platform to enhance bilateral investment and trade ties between Malaysia and the US, while also. "These will also form part of the expected outcome of the negotiations, which Miti hopes will be finalised before the end of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation," it said in a statement. Tengku Zafrul, who led a working visit to Washington DC on June 18, said the negotiations are expected to boost Malaysia's supply chain resilience. He added that the outcomes could benefit local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and generate more high-paying jobs for Malaysians. "All these will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a choice investment destination in the region, while driving the Madani economic transformation agenda towards a high-tech and higher-income nation," he added. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's exports to the US recorded their eighth straight month of double-digit growth in May 2025, with the US remaining one of the country's top three export destinations over the past decade. He noted that a significant portion of these exports supports US domestic industries, particularly in sectors like electrical and electronics (E&E), semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment, and components. "Malaysia has also been an important source of intermediate goods to US-based manufacturing industries. "The ministry has also remained steadfast in doing its utmost to uphold Malaysia's interests in all trade and investment relations with all trading partners, particularly in maintaining the integrity of Malaysia's domestic commitments and its sovereign rights," he said.
The Star
26 minutes ago
- The Star
M'sia-US tariff negotiations on track, says Tengku Zafrul
PETALING JAYA: With about two weeks before unilateral tariffs begin, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz says meetings with the US in Washington DC are progressing well. Tengku Zafrul states that two meetings took place between June 18 and 20 with the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce. He mentions both Malaysian and US representatives aim to finalise negotiations before the 90-day pause on tariff implementation ends. 'They also agreed to intensify efforts to reach an agreement acceptable to key stakeholders from both countries,' says Tengku Zafrul on Sunday (June 22). The statement from the ministry adds that the Malaysian delegation led by Tengku Zafrul used the meetings with US officials to enhance bilateral investment and trade ties. 'This will also form part of the expected outcome of the negotiations, which Miti hopes will be finalised before the end of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation,' said the ministry. Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul hopes these negotiations will secure Malaysia's supply chain and benefit Malaysian businesses, especially small-and-medium enterprises. 'All of these will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a choice investment destination in the region, while driving the Madani economic transformation agenda towards a high-tech and higher-income nation,' he adds. As of May this year, Malaysian exports to the US have seen eight consecutive months of double-digit growth, according to Tengku Zafrul. 'The US has been one of Malaysia's top three export markets for the last 10 years. Much of Malaysia's US-bound exports complement US-based industries in sectors like E&E, semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment and parts,' he says. Malaysia faces a 24% tariff on certain exports to the US unless both sides reach an agreement before the 90-day pause ends on July 8.
New Straits Times
30 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Trade talks 'progressing well', Malaysia and US aims to finalise by 90-day deadline
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United States are aiming to finalise tariff negotiations before the 90-day pause on implementation expires, with both parties agreeing to intensify efforts toward a mutually acceptable outcome for key stakeholders in both countries. Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry today said its separate meetings with US Trade Representative ambassador Jamieson Greer and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick had made positive progress. "The Malaysian delegation led by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz ensured that the meetings with the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce was also optimised as a platform to enhance bilateral investment and trade ties between Malaysia and the US, while also. "These will also form part of the expected outcome of the negotiations, which Miti hopes will be finalised before the end of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation," it said in a statement. Tengku Zafrul, who led a working visit to Washington DC on June 18, said the negotiations are expected to boost Malaysia's supply chain resilience. He added that the outcomes could benefit local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and generate more high-paying jobs for Malaysians. "All these will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a choice investment destination in the region, while driving the Madani economic transformation agenda towards a high-tech and higher-income nation," he added. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's exports to the US recorded their eighth straight month of double-digit growth in May 2025, with the US remaining one of the country's top three export destinations over the past decade. He noted that a significant portion of these exports supports US domestic industries, particularly in sectors like electrical and electronics (E&E), semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment, and components. "Malaysia has also been an important source of intermediate goods to US-based manufacturing industries. "The ministry has also remained steadfast in doing its utmost to uphold Malaysia's interests in all trade and investment relations with all trading partners, particularly in maintaining the integrity of Malaysia's domestic commitments and its sovereign rights," he said.
