In a bid to tackle the burgeoning scam industry, AI entrepreneur Dylan Tan has launched a novel weapon—Scammers on Hold AI, aptly abbreviated as Sohai. This innovative chatbot is designed to waste the time of would-be fraudsters by engaging them in endless conversations. Available for free on WhatsApp and other messaging apps, Sohai aims to frustrate scammers into giving up their malicious pursuits. This initiative comes in response to a growing epidemic of online scams in Southeast Asia, where losses have reached an alarming US$37 billion in 2023.
Sohai operates by providing infinite variations of excuses, delays, and questions to keep scammers occupied. Once a scammer contacts the AI through its designated number, Sohai initiates a conversation designed to consume the scammer’s time. The mechanism is simple: when targeted by a scammer, individuals can redirect them to Sohai’s contact number, allowing the AI to take over. This straightforward approach makes it accessible and easy to use for anyone looking to combat online scams.
The initiative mirrors similar efforts such as "Daisy," an AI granny pilot project by Virgin Media O2, which also sought to engage scammers in futile dialogues. The name "Sohai" originates from a Cantonese insult meaning "idiot," reflecting the AI's purpose of making scammers feel frustrated and outwitted.
Scams are a significant issue in regions like Malaysia, where police reported a staggering loss of 432 million ringgit (approximately US$98 million) due to Facebook scams alone in a single year. The Mekong region is identified as a hub for these operations. Sohai provides a potential solution by acting as a deterrent and helping protect potential victims from falling prey to fraudulent schemes.
"Scams are such a universal experience and annoyance, I thought I could build something that everyone could use as kind of a way to fight back," – Dylan Tan
Sohai not only serves as a tool for individuals but signifies a larger movement toward utilizing technology in the fight against digital crime. The chatbot's availability across various apps ensures that it is within reach for users across different platforms seeking protection against scams.
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