OpenAI Bans Accounts Tied to Scams, Influence Operations
- tech360.tv
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
OpenAI announced it has banned accounts linked to Chinese law enforcement, romance scammers, and influence operations, including a smear campaign against Japan's first woman prime minister. The company's report detailed the misuse of its ChatGPT technology.
Several banned accounts used the chatbot alongside other tools, such as social media, to conduct cybercrimes. These entities posed as various organisations, including a dating agency, law firms, and U.S. officials.
OpenAI banned a ChatGPT account associated with an individual linked to Chinese law enforcement. This account was involved in orchestrating a covert influence operation targeting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
A small set of accounts, likely originating in China, used OpenAI's models to request information about U.S. persons, online forums, and federal building locations. These accounts also sought guidance on face-swapping software.
The same accounts generated English-language emails to state-level U.S. officials or policy analysts working in business and finance. These emails invited targets to participate in paid consultations.
A cluster of ChatGPT accounts used the chatbot to run a dating scam targeting Indonesian men and likely defrauded hundreds of victims a month, according to OpenAI. OpenAI said the scam used ChatGPT to generate promotional text and ads for a fake dating service.
The scam lured users to join the platform and pressured targets to complete several tasks requiring large payments.
Several accounts used OpenAI's models to pose as law firms and impersonate real attorneys and U.S. law enforcement. These impersonations specifically targeted fraud victims, OpenAI said.
OpenAI banned accounts misusing its ChatGPT technology.
Banned accounts were linked to Chinese law enforcement, romance scammers, and influence operations.
Influence operations included a campaign targeting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Source: REUTERS
