AI Helps Russians Detect Scam Calls Before They Answer
Machine learning systems can flag suspicious numbers in real time, reducing users’ exposure to fraud
In Russia, artificial intelligence is increasingly used to counter phone scams by analyzing incoming numbers and flagging risky calls before users pick up. The technology can identify suspicious activity in real time, according to Aleksandr Lunev, head of information security training at Yandex.
Reducing Risk
Lunev said scammers are constantly refining their tactics, but AI systems are evolving just as quickly. For every new fraud scheme, machine learning models are trained to detect and counter emerging patterns.
Fraudsters rely on scale, using mass-calling tactics and bulk SMS campaigns. With so-called SIM boxes—illegal devices that automate large volumes of calls—they can target hundreds of users within minutes. Manual defenses cannot keep up with that volume, but automated systems powered by machine learning can block or label suspicious calls in under a minute, significantly reducing risk for users, according to RIA Novosti.
Flagging Suspicious Calls
User data remains protected, as the algorithms operate on anonymized information.
However, the expert emphasized that AI alone is not enough. Basic security practices remain critical. Bank employees, law enforcement, or telecom providers will never ask users to transfer money to a “secure account,” share SMS verification codes, or install apps via unsolicited links.
Earlier reports said that the number of cybercrimes in Russia has declined.
