Fake officer used AI to target victims, jailed 18 months in Monaco
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
An 18-year-old who used artificial intelligence to identify vulnerable targets before impersonating a police officer by phone was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Monaco's criminal court on Friday 26 June.
Monaco's tribunal correctionnel handed down an 18-month custodial sentence on Friday to an 18-year-old man caught running an AI-assisted fraud scheme in the Principality. The conviction came just three days after the attempted offence, reflecting the speed with which Monaco's justice system processed the case.
The scheme worked in two stages. The suspect used artificial intelligence tools to identify and profile vulnerable individuals, then contacted them by telephone while impersonating a police officer, demanding that they hand over cash and jewellery. The operation unravelled when one potential victim grew suspicious and did not comply, effectively ending the scam before it caused financial harm.
The case is notable less for its scale than for its method. AI-assisted targeting of vulnerable people represents a growing concern for law enforcement across the region, and the Monaco court's swift response sends a pointed signal to anyone considering similar approaches in the Principality. Residents, particularly older members of the community, are reminded that Monaco police will never contact individuals by telephone to request the handover of valuables.