Artificial Intelligence has not only made the world faster and smarter, but this technology has also given a new impetus to cyber crime. Hacking and online fraud are no longer small incidents, but have become large-scale, industrial operations run by organized gangs. At the Global Cyberpeace Summit 2026, Rajesh Kumar, CEO of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center (I4C), said that AI and automation have been heavily used in cyber attacks recorded during 2024-2025. The I4C, which works under the Ministry of Home Affairs, provides a coordinated framework to the country’s agencies to combat cybercrime.
Criminal gangs working in corporate style
Cyber criminals are no longer working as small gangs, but in organized structures like companies. These networks, which operate from Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and parts of India, are divided into different departments. These gangs have recruitment teams, people who manage salaries and promotions, and even research and development units. These teams find and exploit shortcomings in technology and human behavior.
Big role of AI in social engineering
Although many cyber attacks still rely on social engineering, AI is now helping a lot. Fake SMS and WhatsApp messages are being created using automated scripting and personalization, making them appear very real and trustworthy. With the help of AI, criminals can target thousands of people simultaneously, which significantly increases the scope of fraud.
Rising global cost of cyber crime
According to reports, the world is expected to suffer losses of approximately $10.8 trillion from cybercrime in 2025, a figure that could reach nearly $12 trillion this year. Many international think tanks claim that AI plays some role in about 80 percent of cyber attacks.
New methods like deepfake and digital arrest
AI is also being used in deepfake technology. In cases like digital arrest, criminals scare victims by impersonating a senior police officer’s face and voice, making them think they are talking to a real officer.
Triple extortion and the threat of crime-as-a-service
Triple extortion model has now emerged in cyber crime. In this, first the data is locked with ransomware, then money is extorted by threatening to leak it. Apart from this, the trend of crime-as-a-service is also increasing rapidly. In this, organized gangs make crime easy even for those who do not have technical knowledge. Pay money and get readymade cybercrime service. According to experts, even big government officials have become victims of such frauds. Clearly, AI has made cybercrime more organized, faster and dangerous than ever before.
