AI-Powered 'Honey Pot' Bots Deployed to Combat Scam Calls and Texts
In a bold move against the rising tide of fraudulent communications, a major telecommunications company has implemented an advanced AI defence system. This innovative approach includes deploying 'honey pot' bots that engage scammers in conversation, effectively wasting their time while gathering crucial intelligence to bolster security measures.
Multi-Layered Strategy Blocks Millions of Scams
According to Amelia Limbrick, Vodafone's senior customer security, fraud and scam governance manager, the telco successfully intercepted over 60 million scam text messages and 37 million scam calls in 2025 alone. She explained that the company employs a multi-layered strategy, leveraging machine learning systems trained to detect scam language and authenticate numbers to ensure service legitimacy, thereby protecting customers from potential threats.
Diverting Scam Traffic to AI Bots for Intelligence Gathering
Since April, Vodafone has partnered with apate.ai, an AI-powered fraud prevention service, to redirect scam calls to bots that impersonate customers. Limbrick noted that while the primary goal was to waste scammers' time, this initiative has also yielded valuable insights. "It's allowed us to pick up what we've been missing, what the scammers are doing, what they're saying and who they are impersonating," she said, highlighting how this intelligence helps identify and counter evolving fraud tactics.
Impersonation Scams Pose Significant Risks
Limbrick warned that the most prevalent scams involve impersonation to extract money, and they can be remarkably difficult to detect. Even with her expertise in scam detection, she shared a personal near-miss experience. "I had a phone call from my bank telling me my credit card was compromised. I thought, 'righty-oh mate' but when I looked at my app I could see it was," she recounted. After an 11-minute conversation where the scammer had all her information, he requested a one-time code, which she refused, later confirming it was a fraud attempt.
Expert Advice for Avoiding Scams
For scam calls that manage to get through, Limbrick offers straightforward advice: be cautious with unsolicited calls, never share codes or personal information, and consult resources like Scamwatch or the Vodafone website for updates on current scams. She emphasized that victims should not feel embarrassed, as they are often manipulated by professionals. "People who are scammed often feel embarrassed, but it's not your fault if you lose money. You are being manipulated by a professional," she stated, urging vigilance and education to combat fraud effectively.
