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The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has warned about a type of fraud in which individuals pretend to be immigration agents to obtain money, as reported in a note from Univisión 23.
Through text messages, phone calls, and through Artificial Intelligence, criminals impersonate public officials to solicit money.
"We are witnessing the beginning of this, we're seeing it as very isolated, and as everything concerning technology advances, crime advances with technology, so the probability is high, yes," said Miami-Dade detective Marcos Rodríguez from the Organized Crime Office.
According to the authorities, hundreds of text messages and phone calls are made daily by scammers. In many cases, they ask victims for money in exchange for releasing a supposedly detained family member.
In this influx of fraudulent phone calls and text messages from criminals, AI is used to impersonate police officers.
The victims in these cases are often elderly, but anyone can be deceived by scammers who continually find new ways to steal money.
"In no case will any police officer call anyone asking for any kind of money or reward to prevent someone from going to jail," stated Marco Rodríguez.
According to the FBI, Florida ranks third nationally each year in terms of investment fraud, with cryptocurrency investment fraud being the most common.
The most common phone scams in Florida include the grandparent scam, romantic frauds, and false investment opportunities. In these cases, perpetrators impersonate family members, friends, or representatives of legitimate institutions to persuade victims to transfer money urgently.
Scammers use artificial intelligence to recreate voices, faces, and real-time conversations, making fraudulent interactions appear legitimate. This makes it difficult for victims to identify the scam, as they can see and hear avatars that look real.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frauds and Scams in Miami-Dade
How do scammers posing as immigration agents operate in Miami-Dade?
Scammers in Miami-Dade are posing as immigration agents using text messages, phone calls, and artificial intelligence technology. Their goal is to extract money from victims, often through identity impersonation that seems legitimate, making it difficult for people to recognize the fraud. Victims are often pressured to transfer money urgently, believing they are helping a family member in trouble.
What measures are the Miami-Dade authorities taking against fraud?
The authorities of Miami-Dade are implementing various measures to combat fraud, including the creation of specialized units to investigate these crimes and the launch of a digital portal to report fraud in homeowners' associations and condominiums. Additionally, awareness campaigns are being conducted to inform the public on how to protect themselves from these scams, emphasizing that no legitimate institution will request money via phone or text message.
How can I protect myself from phone scams in Miami-Dade?
To protect yourself from phone scams, it is essential not to answer calls from unknown numbers and to hang up immediately if the call seems suspicious. Never provide personal or financial information over the phone. If someone asks for money or personal information, contact the institution directly through official channels. Report any suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
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