Virgin Media O2 has unveiled a new AI chatbot named Daisy, which has been specifically designed to waste the time of persistent phone scammers.
The AI “granny” is trained using real scam-baiter content so she can pass as a real person and can fool scammers into thinking they have found a perfect target. Daisy then engages in long, rambling conversations, sharing anecdotes about her family and knitting projects, and providing false information about her bank details. By keeping scammers occupied with false information and irrelevant details, Daisy aims to deter them from targeting vulnerable individuals.
The telecommunications giant revealed that Daisy is a combination of various AI models that work together to listen and respond to scam callers. She has successfully kept fraudsters on the phone for up to 40 minutes at a time. This tactic frustrates the scammers and prevents them from targeting other potential victims.
With fraud on the rise in the UK, Daisy offers a novel approach to combating this growing problem. By taking the strain off consumers, she allows them to focus on their daily lives without fear of falling victim to scams.
Murray Mackenzie, director of fraud at Virgin Media O2, said: “The newest member of our fraud-prevention team, Daisy, is turning the tables on scammers – outsmarting and outmanoeuvring them at their own cruel game simply by keeping them on the line.”
Image source: CANVA
