TV Reporter Defrauded by AI Bot Impersonating Real Estate Agent
A television reporter has revealed how he fell victim to a sophisticated artificial intelligence scam, resulting in thousands of pounds being stolen from his bank account. The incident highlights the growing threat of AI-powered fraud in the digital age.
The Deceptive TikTok Advertisement
Rob Nesbitt, a reporter for KRON 4, was searching for a new apartment in San Francisco when he encountered a compelling advertisement on TikTok. The video promoted an attractive rental unit on Franklin Street, allegedly listed by Compass Realtor Nick Abraham.
Unbeknownst to Nesbitt, the TikTok account was fraudulent. Although Nick Abraham is a genuine real estate agent, he had no connection to the advertised property. The scammer had created a convincing fake profile using Abraham's name, photograph, and company details to appear legitimate.
How the AI Scam Unfolded
After expressing interest in the apartment, Nesbitt received a response from what he believed was the realtor. In reality, he was communicating with an AI bot designed to mimic human interaction.
The reporter completed a rental application and paid a $280 fee as requested. Over the following days, additional unauthorised transactions were made from his account via Zelle, totalling approximately $2,000.
"I clicked on the email that seemed valid with Nick's information, headshot, his company Compass Real Estate, and 12,000 followers," Nesbitt explained, detailing how he was deceived. "I paid the fee and then, the next day, woke up to more than $2,000 in charges from my checking account to something called GLF Golf Now Reservation."
Discovering the Fraud
Upon noticing the substantial withdrawals, Nesbitt contacted the real Nick Abraham, who informed him that he had received several similar reports. Abraham confirmed that the TikTok account was fraudulent and that he was not involved in the listing.
"I did have some people that went on there and thought that I was the person who was scamming," Abraham told KRON 4. "They wrote negative reviews on my business profile for Google, gave me a one-star review. I've never heard of these people before, and then I explained to them. Luckily, they were good people and removed the review once they found out what happened."
The AI Voice Deception
Nesbitt even spoke with the impersonator on the phone after being told he could not view the apartment until February 10, just five days before his intended move-in date. When he requested an earlier viewing, the fake realtor claimed they would consult the property manager.
"[The call] felt off, and the next morning is when I found the fraudulent charges and started doing some digging and found the real Nick," Nesbitt said.
After speaking with the genuine Abraham, Nesbitt realised the scammer's voice sounded remarkably similar to the AI-generated one he had heard. "They most likely used his voicemail to create AI-generated responses over the phone," he speculated.
Resolution and Platform Action
Fortunately, Nesbitt is expected to recover his funds after reporting the transactions as fraudulent to his bank. The deceptive TikTok account has since been removed following reports from both Abraham and KRON 4 to the platform regarding the unauthorised profile.
This case serves as a stark warning about the advanced capabilities of AI in facilitating financial scams and identity theft, urging increased vigilance among consumers engaging in online transactions.
