“Poisoned” AI: the ChatGPT shopping scams that lead to fake websites

You want to buy a new bag, so you ask ChatGPT for help. You’ve always liked Russell & Bromley, so ask ChatGPT what’s currently popular there.

The artificial intelligence (AI) assistant offers you cross-body, shoulder, casual and formal options with the prices below. You click from the sources to what appears to be the official Russell & Bromley website and purchase your new bag, which is conveniently on sale.

However, the item will never arrive. You’ve handed over money to a fraudster and your banking details have been stolen through an elaborate scam that creates fake websites that convincingly look like real retailers.

According to Ask Silver, a scam checking service, cloned websites appear in ChatGPT search results. The examples it has seen are rip-offs from Russell & Bromley and furniture retailer Dunelm.

Ask Silver’s Anna Jones says it’s possible that the Large Language Model (LLM), which…