How Microsoft used AI to help crack down on tech support scams worldwide - The AI Blog

The scam works like this: There you are, using your computer just like any other day, when suddenly a pop-up appears, warning you that your computer has been infected by a virus and you need to call tech support immediately. If you try to get rid of the pop-up, it just keeps coming back. If you do call the alleged tech support number, you're connected to telemarketers who claim to be affiliated with major technology companies – but are really scammers trying to bilk customers for costly and unnecessary computer repairs or services. When the Federal Trade Commission announced a major crackdown on these scammers last month, it was relying in part on the work of a group of Microsoft researchers and Digital Crimes Unit investigators who used artificial intelligence to help unravel the complex web of technical tricks the scammers were using to swindle users and avoid law enforcement. The scammers weren't easy to track down.