In the past year, Microsoft blocked over $4 billion in fraud attempts as cybercriminals increasingly turned to AI tools for faster and more convincing scams.
According to its latest Cyber Signals report, Microsoft used machine learning to stop 1.6 million bot-based signups per hour and reject nearly 49,000 fake partnership attempts between April 2024 and April 2025. AI is helping scammers create phoney e-commerce websites, job offers, and customer service bots that are harder to detect.
“Cybercrime is a trillion-dollar problem,” said Kelly Bissell, Corporate VP at Microsoft Security. “AI helps us detect and respond much faster.”
Fraudsters now use AI to generate fake reviews, clone voices, build entire storefronts, and impersonate tech support. Microsoft has tracked significant scam activity in China and Germany, with large online markets.
Fake online stores can be launched in minutes using auto-generated content and AI-powered chatbots that stall refunds and fool buyers. Job scams are also evolving, with AI-generated recruiter profiles and interview responses designed to steal personal information.
Microsoft also uncovered a campaign by hacker group Storm-1811, which used Windows Quick Assist to gain remote access to victims’ devices through social engineering—not AI, but a reminder of evolving threats.
Microsoft is embedding fraud protection into product design to counter these attacks through its Secure Future Initiative. New defences include:
- Microsoft Edge tools to block impersonation and scareware
- Quick Assist alerts before remote access is granted
- Remote Help for secure enterprise support
- Digital Fingerprinting to block 4,400+ suspicious sessions daily
- LinkedIn algorithms to detect fake job listings
The company is also partnering with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) to share intelligence with governments and other tech firms.
Tips to Stay Safe
Microsoft advises watching for these red flags:
- Unsolicited tech support messages
- Job offers from free email domains or requiring payment
- Too-good-to-be-true online deals
- Chatbots or interviews that sound unnatural
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