Virgin Media O2 has launched an innovative tool against phone fraud—a virtual assistant named Daisy, designated as ‘Head of Scammer Relations’. With the ability to engage scammers in extensive conversations, Daisy effectively diminishes their opportunities to deceive genuine individuals.
Daisy’s development combines artificial intelligence with insights from YouTube scambaiter Jim Browning. This AI convincingly simulates human interactions, engaging fraudsters for as long as 40 minutes uninterrupted.
To create her, developers integrated numerous AI models that allow instant processing and responding during fraudulent attempts. Her effectiveness is crucial to Virgin Media O2’s “Swerve the Scammers” initiative, aiming to divert scams away from potential victims.
The growing prevalence of fraud heightens Britain’s concerns, with 67% of individuals anxious about becoming targets, and 22% experiencing weekly threats. Almost three-quarters of the population are eager to combat scammers affecting themselves or their loved ones.
Ahead of International Fraud Awareness Week (17-23 November), Daisy has been outsmarting scammers with stories about family and hobbies. These tales not only protect victims but also educate consumers on scammers’ ploys.
Renowned reality TV star Amy Hart collaborates with Daisy in a campaign to expose scam tactics. Hart shares her own predicament, where a fraudulent bank call resulted in losses exceeding £5,000, which she notes occurred within minutes. Her experience prompted her to raise awareness and educate others on scam safety.
Hart argues that, “I know first-hand just how sophisticated nasty fraudsters can be, that’s why I’ve teamed up with O2 and AI scambaiter Daisy to take the fight back to them, keeping them busy with calls going nowhere.”
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud at Virgin Media O2, remarks: “We’re committed to playing our part in stopping the scammers, investing in everything from firewall technology to block out scam texts to AI-powered spam call detection to keep our customers safe.”
Mackenzie highlights the significance of reporting suspicious calls and texts to 7726 to help block fraudulent numbers, boosting existing prevention measures.
Virgin Media O2 emphasizes public vigilance against unexpected calls, reinforcing the message to verify sender identity before engaging. Despite sophisticated technological measures, fraudulent activities persist, making cooperation crucial.
