Fraud expert David Maimon warned Congress that criminals are using artificial intelligence to create deepfakes and fake documents to bypass government identity verification systems.

Things to Do in L.A. A shadowy L.A. crime ring is hijacking the IDs of foreign scholars, fraud expert says This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . An identity theft ring believed to be based in the Burbank area is stealing Social Security Numbers of former foreign scholars. Private fraud investigators suspect the operation is connected to Armenian organized crime groups known for sophisticated financial crimes. Using apartments in the San Fernando Valley and Glendale area, a shadowy group of identity thieves has been quietly exploiting a new kind of victim -- foreign scholars who left the U.S. years ago but whose Social Security numbers still linger in American databases, according to a cybercrime expert.

The easy access that scammers have to sophisticated AI tools means everything from emails to video calls can’t be trusted.

The compliments start flowing as soon as she answers the video call. "Wow, you so pretty, honey," says the man on the other side of the screen. His video feed shows he's white, with short hair, likely a few years younger than her, and is sitting in front of his camera wearing a plaid shirt. "You're looking different with that beard and stuff gone," the woman says in an American accent as the conversation gets going. The man doesn't miss a beat. "I told you I was going to shave my beard so I will look good."