Peter Finn on Radio: How AI Is Fueling a New Wave of Scam Threats

“Hi Mum, I lost my phone! Please use this new number instead.”
That’s all it takes. One simple message, and just like that, someone’s down thousands.

Scammers today aren’t guessing; they’re targeting. And now, they’re using generative AI to sharpen their game. In back-to-back radio interviews on MoneyFM 89.3 and CNA 93.8, Dr Peter Finn, an instructor at Vertical Institute, explained how these attacks are crafted and why they’re working.

Singapore has already recorded more than $1.1 billion in scam-related losses in 2024. It’s not because people aren’t aware. It’s because AI-powered scams have become eerily convincing, backed by emotional manipulation, deepfake tech, and social engineering that feels personal.

While banks and government agencies ramp up their defences, real protection starts with people. That’s where Vertical Institute’s hands-on courses come in. It’s designed to teach anyone, regardless of background, how to recognise, stop, and respond to digital threats.

And if you think being tech-savvy makes you safe? Think again. According to Peter, overconfidence is often the first vulnerability.

Quick Takeaways

• Scammers now use AI to create personalised, emotionally charged attacks that feel real.
• Tools like WormGPT and PhishingGPT help criminals write fake emails, clone voices, and mimic writing styles.
• 70% of people think they can spot AI scams, and most rely on gut instinct instead of real verification.
• Emotional pressure is the weapon: urgency, fear, and trust are common tools scammers exploit.

Why AI Has Supercharged Scams

Cybercrime used to be a numbers game; spam enough people, and someone might bite. Now, it’s personalised, believable, and fast. According to Dr Peter Finn, scams today are powered by generative AI that can mimic writing styles, clone voices, and even create convincing fake videos.

Tools like WormGPT, ScamGPT, and PhishingGPT operate like ChatGPT but without ethical restrictions. They’re designed to help scammers write malicious code, generate scam emails, and craft fake personas, all in seconds. The technology isn’t locked behind underground forums anymore. It’s accessible, cheap, and often free.

Scammers don’t even need technical skills. Many rely on off-the-shelf AI tools and open-source hacking kits to do the heavy lifting. With AI running background reconnaissance, scraping social media profiles, copying writing styles, and identifying emotional triggers, they can send messages that feel real.

Peter puts it simply: “This tech gives criminals scale and precision they never had before.”

So why do these scams keep working, even on people who know AI exists?

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You’re Not as Scam-Savvy as You Think

About 70% of people believe they can spot an AI-generated scam. In reality, only 1 in 5 actually can. The problem? Confidence outpaces skill.

Peter explains that being exposed to deepfakes and AI content makes people feel more experienced, but that doesn’t translate into actual detection ability. The same users who claim they can recognise scams often rely on gut instinct rather than verification.

Even worse, tech-savvy individuals often let their guard down. They trust their filters, devices, and instincts. Scammers count on that. As Peter says, “One of the big vulnerabilities in cybersecurity is actually the human element.”

And this isn’t limited to emails or texts. Deepfakes are now targeting job interviews, corporate training videos, and WhatsApp voice messages. The trust gap is shrinking fast.

If technical skills aren’t enough, what’s really going on when people fall for scams? The answer lies in something older than the internet. Human emotion.

The Psychology Behind Clickbait Attacks

Scammers don’t break systems, they exploit people. As Peter mentioned, today’s most effective scams don’t need complex code. They rely on something far simpler: emotional manipulation.

This tactic isn’t new. Known as social engineering, it’s been used since the 1980s and still works because human psychology hasn’t changed. Whether it’s fear, urgency, or trust, scammers trigger emotional shortcuts that bypass logic.

Take the classic “Hi Mum” message. It preys on concern and rushes the recipient into action before they stop to question it. Now, AI takes this even further. By scanning social media, emails, and public data, it learns how people talk, who they talk to, and what makes them click.

Peter points out that AIs are better at generating scam content than humans. They personalise messages to feel emotionally real, and people fall for them, not because they’re careless, but because they’re targeted.

You can spot the pattern: false urgency, impersonation, and emotionally charged language. Whether it’s a fake boss asking for a payment or a friend needing help urgently, the aim is always the same. It’s to get you to act fast and think later.

If scammers know how you think, the next step is learning how to push back. And it starts with one overlooked skill: pausing before reacting.

Related Article: How to Break Into a Cybersecurity Career: A Beginner’s Guide

What You Can Do Right Now

Most people look for scam red flags in the message itself. But Peter says the more important signal is how you feel when you read it.

Borrowing a lesson from aviation safety, Peter says, In an emergency, the first thing you do is “wind your watch.” That means pausing before clicking, replying, or paying. The goal? Break the emotional cycle that scammers rely on.

Here’s how to start:

• Pause before acting, especially when something feels urgent.
• Check your emotional state: are you anxious? Rushed? Pressured?
• Verify requests through a different channel: never trust a single platform.
• Watch for patterns: most scams ask for money, file downloads, or urgent favours.

These aren’t just theoretical tips; they’re taught actively in Peter’s sessions. And once you build that habit of pausing, reflecting, and cross-checking, you’re already ahead of the curve.

That’s exactly the kind of practical training Vertical Institute focuses on, bridging the skills gap with real-world exercises anyone can grasp.

How Vertical Institute Is Filling the Cyber Skills Gap

AI threats move fast, but human habits change slowly. That’s why Vertical Institute doesn’t teach cybersecurity through dense theory. Our courses focus on hands-on learning, with practical examples pulled straight from the headlines.

Dr Peter Finn leads Vertical Institute’s Generative AI and Cybersecurity courses. These courses are built to help beginners, professionals, and corporate teams quickly gain job-ready skills, even with no prior experience. You don’t need a tech background. You need curiosity and a willingness to test what you think you know.

For corporate training, companies can strengthen responsible AI adoption through Vertical Institute’s AI Systems Course Singapore, which builds shared understanding across business teams.

Participants run simulated phishing attacks, analyse deepfake patterns, and even learn AI prompting skills that help them understand how scammers build content.

Companies also use Vertical Institute’s courses to upskill their staff even in the marketing, finance, and operations industries. As Peter points out, “Cyber defence isn’t one person’s job. It’s everyone’s responsibility.

FAQs About AI, Scams, and Digital Resilience

Learn To Spot the Scam Before It Hits

Most cybersecurity advice sounds technical. But according to Dr Peter Finn, the real threat isn’t software; it’s how people react when they’re rushed or emotionally triggered.

That’s why Vertical Institute teaches people to think like attackers, spot patterns, and respond calmly, even under pressure. You won’t memorise acronyms. You’ll run real scenarios, guided by instructors who’ve seen what works and what fails.

If you’ve ever clicked on something suspicious or second-guessed a message, you’re not alone. But you can get ahead before the next scam lands in your inbox.

Explore Vertical Institute’s cybersecurity and generative AI courses to build skills that last beyond the classroom now!