‘A whole new horizon for us’: Police make first arrest in AI-driven fraud case in Chatham County

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Chatham County police have made their first arrest involving artificial intelligence fraud, according to the department.

Police said 20-year-old Dieon Love posed as a delivery driver at the Walmart on Ogeechee Road, using a fake, AI-generated “Spark” order in an attempt to leave the store with a Nintendo Switch and other electronics.

Chatham County Police Chief Jeffrey Hadley said loss prevention flagged the fraud, but Love did not back down.

“And because he persisted, an off-duty police officer there detained him, and we got called there and we ended up making an arrest. It’s a whole new horizon for us so to speak, and we’re just now learning of these scams and how we go about addressing them,” Hadley said.

Chief says retail fraud is just the start

Hadley said retail fraud is only part of the problem. He said while AI can help businesses with automation, images and videos, criminals are using the same tools to commit crimes, including replicating voices.

“AI has the ability to create fake requisitions, fake orders, fake QR codes, in order for people to proliferate criminal activities,” Hadley said.

Hadley described how AI-generated voice technology could be used to defraud victims.

“For example, I get your voice, I find out who your mother is, and then I call and utilize AI technology to replicate your voice and say I need money, I’m in jail. You know, you create this panic; your mother is going to say, ‘Oh geez, I need to help my son,’ right, and sends money and something like that to defraud them out of money. Thinking that they’re helping their own son out,” Hadley said.

Police working with national think tanks

Hadley said his agency is meeting with national police think tanks to develop new tactics for investigating AI-driven crimes.

Hadley urged the public to verify information before trusting it.