Scammers are on the rise, but so is the power of AI. Can AI be used to reduce fraud risks? The answer is yes!
O2 is thinking outside the box by introducing its cutting-edge AI tool, Daisy. Called the “Head of Scammer Relations,” Daisy is a lifelike AI Granny designed to interact with fraudsters in real time, wasting their time and keeping them away from customers. Here’s how.
How Daisy Works: AI Scambaiter at Its Best
Daisy was developed using advanced AI models that combine real-time speech transcription, customized language generation, and ultra-realistic text-to-speech technology. Trained with YouTube scam baiter Jim Browning, Daisy delivers conversations that fool even the most persistent scammers.
The AI Granny is programmed to respond to fraudsters autonomously, keeping them preoccupied with subjects like family stories, knitting projects, and even fabricated personal details like made-up bank information. Since O2 adopted Daisy, it’s kept scammers on the line for as long as 40 minutes—a major win for the company’s mission to protect its customers.
Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud at Virgin Media O2, emphasized Daisy’s role in turning the tables on scammers:
“The newest member of our fraud-prevention team, Daisy, is outsmarting and outmaneuvering scammers at their own cruel game simply by keeping them on the line. Crucially, Daisy also serves as a reminder that no matter how persuasive someone on the other end of the phone may be, they aren’t always who you think they are.”
A Collaborative Campaign With Amy Hart
To boost awareness about the new project and Daisy’s proven success, O2 has partnered with influencer and former Love Island star Amy Hart, who has firsthand experience as a scam victim. Amy was targeted by fraudsters pretending to be from her bank, resulting in a loss of more than £5,000 in just minutes.
“I know first-hand just how sophisticated nasty fraudsters can be,” Amy shared. “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.”
Amy posted a TikTok alongside Daisy to raise awareness about scammers’ tactics and urge viewers to be cautious when receiving unexpected calls or texts. “If you have even the tiniest doubt about who you’re speaking to,” Amy advises, “the best thing to do is hang up the phone and call back on a trusted number.”
O2’s Fight Against the Fraud Epidemic
Fraud has become an alarming issue in the UK, with O2’s research revealing that 67% of Brits are concerned about being targeted, and 22% report experiencing scam attempts every week. O2’s Swerve the Scammers campaign is part of its plan to protect customers through tech and education.
The telecom giant has already blocked millions of fraudulent texts and calls, and in 2023 alone, intercepted over £250 million in suspected fraudulent transactions—the equivalent of stopping one every two minutes. However, scammers are adopting clever tactics, using sophisticated call centers to target unsuspecting individuals.
To combat this, O2 urges customers to take a three-step approach:
- STOP: Pause and think before sharing personal information.
- SEND: Forward suspicious calls or texts to 7726 for free.
- SPEAK OUT: Share your experience with friends and family to spread awareness.
Going Beyond AI Help
While the AI Granny is protecting consumers, Virgin Media O2 is pushing for broader systemic change. The company has called on the UK government to take responsibility by appointing a dedicated fraud minister and establishing a centralized national body to tackle fraud at its source.
“We’re doing everything we can to stop scammers,” Mackenzie stated, “but stopping fraud requires collaboration across industries and decisive action from the government.”
