Play the games

Updated 9 November 2026

AI scams won’t work on you.

Scammers now use AI to copy voices, fake video calls and write perfect messages. Play 10 quick rounds and learn the one move that beats each trick.

Play round 1

Would these fool you?

8 are AI scams doing the rounds. 2 are real. Tap Real or Scam on each one.

CallRound 1

Incoming call

Unknown number

mobile

“Mum, it’s me. I’ve crashed the car and the police say I need $2,000 for bail today. Please don’t tell Dad.”

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Scam.

A voice clone of your kid

The AI trick
It really does sound like them. AI can copy a voice from a short clip posted online, and the FBI warns criminals use it to fake a family emergency.
How to beat it
Hang up and call them back on the number you already have. Or ask for your family safe word.
Play HOAX

Source: FBI, 3 Dec 2024

Voice clone, explained

CallRound 2

On a call · 0:24

Unknown number

mobile

CallerMum, it’s Mia. My phone died so I’m on Sam’s phone.

YouOK, what’s our word?

CallerPineapple! Can you grab me from the station at 9?

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Real.

Your kid, with the safe word

How you can tell
She knew your family safe word when you asked. And she wants a lift, not money.
What to do
Pick a safe word with your family today and keep it off social media. The FBI says a secret word is how you check it’s really them.
Make a family safe word

Source: FBI, 3 Dec 2024

Video callRound 3

Urgent: Q4 deal

CFOFinanceLegalYou

CFO We need 15 transfers made today. Keep this between us until the deal is announced.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Scam.

A deepfake video call from the boss

The AI trick
Every face and voice on the call can be fake. A worker at Arup in Hong Kong sent about US$25 million in 15 transfers after a video call like this.
How to beat it
Never move money because of one call, however real it looks. Hang up and call the person back on a number you already have.
Play HOAX

Source: CNN, 16 May 2024

Deepfake, explained

AdRound 4

MMoney News DailySponsored

EXCLUSIVE: TV favourite reveals the AI trading app that makes her $9,000 a week. Banks want it banned.

linkLearn more

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Scam.

A famous face selling an AI money app

The AI trick
Scammers use AI to fake videos of celebrities and politicians, backed up by fake news stories and reviews. And no app can promise big, safe returns, because AI can’t predict the market.
How to beat it
Never invest from an ad. Look the company up with your country’s financial regulator before you pay a cent.
Play DUPE

Sources: ASIC, 17 Aug · CFTC, 25 Jan 2024

Investment scam, explained

EmailRound 5

We stopped a sign in to your account

AAccount Security

Hi Sam, we stopped someone signing in to your account from a new Windows computer at 2:14am. If this wasn’t you, confirm your details within 24 hours to keep your account open. link

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Scam.

A scam email with perfect spelling

The AI trick
AI writes scam emails with perfect spelling, your name and a calm, official tone. The UK’s cyber agency says AI makes it hard for anyone to tell a real email from a fake.
How to beat it
Good spelling proves nothing now. Never use the link. Open the app or type the address in yourself, and check there.
Play LURE

Source: NCSC, 24 Jan 2024

Phishing, explained

ChatRound 6

SSophieonline

Good morning! ☀️ Did you sleep well?

My uncle’s app made me 30% on gold this month 😊 I could show you how. Just between us, ok?

6:02am

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Scam.

A sweet new match with an investing tip

The AI trick
Scam crews use AI to run fake profiles and write warm, perfect messages in any language. Then the talk turns to crypto or gold. OpenAI found one crew doing exactly this and banned its accounts.
How to beat it
Never invest or send money for someone you haven’t met in person. An investing tip from a new match is the giveaway.
Play BOT

Source: OpenAI, 31 Jul

Pig butchering, explained

CallRound 7

Calling

Priya (boss)

mobile · in your contacts

YouHi Priya, it’s Sam. Just calling you back about that supplier payment.

PriyaYep, that was me. It’s in the system for your sign off, same as always.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Real.

You called the boss back

How you can tell
You rang her on the number you already had, and the payment goes through your normal sign off. A deepfake can’t answer her phone.
What to do
Make calling back a habit for any money request, even from the boss. The FBI says find the number yourself, then call.
Play HOAX

Source: FBI, 15 May 2025

AdRound 8

AAI Video StudioSponsored

Turn any idea into a movie with AI. 100% free for the first 1,000 people. Download now 👇

linkDownload

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Scam.

A free AI video maker

The AI trick
Google found more than 30 fake AI video sites pushed by thousands of ads. The free download was malware that steals passwords, cards and crypto.
How to beat it
Get AI apps only from the maker’s own website or your phone’s app store. Never download from an ad.
Play DUPE

Source: Google, 27 May 2025

Malware, explained

WebsiteRound 9

link

Home Decor Outlet: closing down

★★★★★ 2,147 reviews

Everything 80% off. Pay by bank transfer and get an extra 10% off.

Buy now

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Scam.

A shop with 2,000 glowing reviews

The AI trick
AI can build a whole fake shop in minutes, with photos and product details. Microsoft warns AI writes the glowing reviews too.
How to beat it
Pay by credit card so you have a chance of getting your money back, never by bank transfer or crypto. Search the shop’s name with the word ‘scam’ before you buy.
Play DUPE

Source: Microsoft, 16 Apr 2025

Online shopping scam, explained

AI answerRound 10

airline customer service phone number

AI answer

Call the airline’s 24/7 help line on number. Have your booking number and card details ready.

Made up example. Links and numbers hidden.

Real or scam?

Real or scam? Scam.

A help line from an AI answer

The AI trick
Scammers get fake help lines into search results and AI answers, then ‘help’ you out of your card details. Virgin Media O2 says AI tools give scammers new ways to make fake numbers look real.
How to beat it
Get the number from the company’s own app, website or your bill. Never from an AI answer, an ad or a search result.
Play HOAX

Source: Virgin Media O2, 24 Apr

Four habits that beat every AI scam.

You won’t always spot an AI fake. You don’t need to. Do these four things and the tricks stop working.

  1. Hang up and call back.Use a number you already have, never one they give you.
  2. Agree a family safe word.AI can copy a voice. It can’t know your word. Make one now
  3. Go to the company yourself.Never use the link, number or app in a message, an ad or an AI answer.
  4. Never move money in a rush.However real the call, video or chat looks, stop and check first.

Using an AI agent?

Agents that read your email and shop for you can be tricked too. Here’s how, and the five rules that keep yours on your side.

Play 10 more rounds

Practise on the fakes.

Fake calls are in HOAX. Fake texts and emails are in LURE. Fake websites are in DUPE. Free, and fun.

Play HOAXPlay LUREPlay DUPE

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