AI Spy

The security community has been sounding alarms about AI infrastructure for two years. BadHost, a critical authentication bypass discovered in May 2026 inside one of the most widely used Python frameworks on the internet, is what that alarm sounds like when it goes off. Dan Fernandez returns to AI Spy to talk about what actually happened, why the official severity rating understates the real risk,...

Most of us in fraud prevention have never spoken to someone who has been inside a scam compound. Ling Li has. A Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne with a decade in law enforcement experience and field roles across the ICRC, UNHCR, and the University of Liverpool's Modern Slavery Research Centre, Ling co-authored SCAM: Inside Southeast Asia's Cybercrime Compounds — one of the most rigor...

AI is changing more than workflows—it’s changing how we communicate, what we trust, and how criminals manipulate people. In this episode, I’m joined by James McDowell , Executive Director of the Cyber Crime Research Institute (CCRI) and an adjunct professor at American Military University, to unpack forensic cyber psychology : how human behavior shifts online, how “truth” gets distorted (deepfakes...

What does financial crime really look like from the law enforcement side? In this episode, Victoria Frosch Bowes joins us to share a frontline view of modern fraud investigations — from her time as a Detective Constable working complex fraud cases, to her current role in securities enforcement. We discuss how Victoria found her way into financial crime, what makes fraud cases uniquely challenging...

In this episode, Anurag sits down with Whistine Chai to explore the human side of scams. Whistine brings more than 17 years of experience in clinical, forensic, and industrial-organizational psychology, along with extensive field work in Singapore focused on understanding victims and offenders. Her work blends behavioral science and practical investigation, giving her a unique lens on how scams ac...

In this episode of AI SPY , Anurag sits down with the ever-busy Andrew Austin , a fraud prevention expert whose insights are shaped by years of experience tackling financial crime across institutions. The conversation kicks off with Andrew’s origin story—how he got into the fraud space and why curiosity is a career superpower. From there, they dive deep into: Why AI is both an advantage and a chal...

Founder, CTO, fraud strategist and newsletter author Chen Zamir joins AI SPY to share stories and playbooks that make fraud prevention both practical and approachable. We start with his early experiences in fraud prevention, working at a startup and the surreal experience of identity theft on a dating app. During the discussion we highlight the gaps in trust & safety and how collaboration with...

Voice authentication was once celebrated as the future of secure and frictionless banking. By 2023, nearly 1.9 billion people worldwide were enrolled in voice biometric systems, and banks like HSBC were touting hundreds of millions in fraud losses prevented. But advances in AI-driven deepfakes are eroding that trust fast — North America alone saw a 1,740% spike in deepfake fraud in 2023. In this e...

When it comes to scam prevention, few founders have a story as personal—and painful—as Alex Somervell. In this episode, we hear how the CEO and co-founder of AskSilver turned a deeply personal experience into a mission: to help banks detect scams through empathy, human understanding, and smarter tech. Alex shares the moment that changed everything—when his father was scammed out of most of his lif...

In this episode of AI SPY , we sit down with Zara Perumal , CTO and co-founder of Overwatch.io , to explore the evolving landscape of open-source intelligence (OSINT) and dark web monitoring in fighting fraud and financial crime. Zara shares her journey from MIT to Google's Threat Analysis Group and how she co-founded Overwatch to address critical gaps in OSINT tools. We dive deep into how cri...

Episode Summary As we launch into 2025, we tackle a critical issue: romance scams. With Valentine's Day around the corner, host Anurag sits down with Kathy Waters and Brian Denny from Advocating Against Romance Scammers (AARS) to discuss the alarming rise of online deception that preys on vulnerable individuals, especially during this romantic occasion. Brian shares his personal experiences of bei...

In this episode of AI SPY, we sit down with Ken Palla, a seasoned expert in financial crime prevention, to explore Australia's innovative Scam Prevention Framework (SPF). Ken shares insights from his extensive career, discusses current scam trends, and delves into the SPF's multi-sector approach to combating fraud. Key Topics Covered: - Ken Palla's journey into fraud prevention and his ongoing con...

In this episode of AI SPY , we explore the impact of UPI on India’s digital infrastructure with financial crime expert Anis Ahmed. While UPI has driven financial inclusion, it has also brought a sharp rise in banking fraud. Anis discusses scams like “digital arrest” and job fraud, compares global trends, and shares his passion for fraud prevention through humor and creativity. Topics Covered : UPI...

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month wraps up, this episode brings you a brief yet insight-rich conversation with cybersecurity expert Francis West . Francis and Anurag Mohapatra dive into some of the most critical topics affecting organizations and individuals today—from advanced tactics used by cybercriminals to effective strategies for bolstering security. Key Discussion Points: Emerging Cybersecur...

In this special Cybersecurity Awareness Month episode of AI Spy , we sit down with cybersecurity expert Dan Fernandez to explore the cutting-edge trends shaping the world of digital security. With AI becoming a powerful tool in the hands of cybercriminals, ransomware evolving, and doxing emerging as a serious threat, there’s a lot to unpack. Dan shares his insights on how these threats are evolvin...

In this episode, we dive into the shadowy world of money laundering with Christian Leuprecht, a renowned expert on global security and author of the book "Dirty Money." We explore why Christian wrote this book now, and discuss the growing transnational nature of money laundering. Christian sheds light on why Canada, with its robust financial systems and perceived leniencies, has become a...

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of money laundering in the video game industry with Detective Matthew Hogan, MS. We discuss: Methods used by criminals to launder money through in-game items and currencies. Challenges and limitations within current AML regulations. The role of international cooperation and technological advancements in combating these activities. Importance of publi...

In this episode of AI SPY, we are joined by Hieu Ngo, a former hacker who has now turned a new leaf and is actively contributing to cybersecurity efforts. Hieu shares his unique journey from being convicted for his cybercrimes to becoming an educator in Vietnam's cybersecurity agency. We delve into his experiences, the lessons he's learned, and his insights on the current state of cybersec...

In this episode of AI SPY, we sit down with Jesse Tayler, the visionary inventor of the App Store and co-founder of TruAnon. Jesse shares his incredible journey from pioneering the digital distribution of software to tackling today's most pressing digital security challenges. We delve into his innovative work with double-blind zero-knowledge proofs, the future of digital security, and practica...

In this episode we delve into the complex world of AI regulations, copyright challenges, and mental wellness with Norvin Chan, founder of Broken Bear and a legal expert on AI. Join us as we explore the pressing need for regulating AI technologies to mitigate potential risks and ensure ethical use. We'll also discuss the rising concerns of copyright infringement facilitated by GenAI and its imp...

In this episode we dive deep into the deceptive world of romance scams with author Becky Holmes, renowned for her book "Keanu Reeves is not in love with you." Becky shares her extensive research and personal encounters to shed light on the prevalence and impact of romance fraud. From identifying common red flags to discussing effective protection strategies, this episode offers invaluabl...

In this episode of "The AI SPY" podcast, join us as we delve into the world of data breach prevention with Francis West, CEO of Security Everywhere. Data breaches have become increasingly prevalent in our digital age, posing significant threats to individuals and organizations alike. Francis shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise on the topic, offering valuable insights into the la...

In this riveting episode of "The AI SPY" podcast, join host Anurag as he sits down with Mina Chiang, founder of Humanity Research Consultancy (HRC), to uncover the hidden world of modern slavery and human trafficking. Together, they delve into the disturbing reality of fraud factories and their role in perpetuating financial crime on a global scale. From the exploitation of vulnerable in...

Introduction: In this episode of "The AI SPY" podcast, host Anurag delves into the world of deep fakes and their potential impact on banking fraud. Joined by cybersecurity expert Matt Wright, Director of Research for the Global Cybersecurity Institute, they explore the evolution of deep fakes, notable examples, and the intersection with banking fraud. Key Points Covered: - Understanding...

In an increasingly unpredictable digital age, scams have become an ever-looming threat, transcending geographical boundaries and wreaking havoc on lives worldwide. Scammers are not only remarkably adept at targeting the vulnerable but also skilled in using the fear to extort victims.  Recent statistics reveal the staggering scale of this issue. According to the 2023 Global State of Scams report, a...