Australian startup uses AI agents to engage scammers and gather intelligence
Apate.ai deploys AI agents undercover as potential victims to keep scammers engaged and gather intelligence before real people are harmed. The Australian startup shares what the agents learn with banks, telecoms firms, government agencies and utilities, which can use the information to improve their fraud prevention.
Founded in 2024 from research at Macquarie University, Apate says its agents have spent 17 years of scammers’ time over 2.5 million conversations. They seek details such as bank accounts, crypto wallets, phone numbers, malicious websites and impersonated brands. The article cites FBI figures showing more than 22,000 complaints of AI-related crimes in 2025, associated with about $893 million in losses.
- Apate uses AI agents to engage scammers undercover.
- Its agents have logged 2.5 million conversations.
- The intelligence helps organisations improve fraud prevention.
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Scammers often contact people by phone, text or email while pretending to be a bank, business or government body. They try to win trust and persuade people to share money or sensitive information. Banks, phone companies and public agencies use reports about these scams to help spot and prevent them.
Apate.ai is an Australian company founded in 2024 from research at Macquarie University. Its software uses AI agents that pose as potential victims and keep suspected scammers talking, while collecting clues such as phone numbers, bank details and fake websites. The company shares this information with organisations that can use it to strengthen their fraud checks.
The wider concern is that scams can cause substantial financial harm, and AI tools may make some forms of crime easier to carry out. The article cites FBI figures linking more than 22,000 complaints of AI-related crimes in 2025 to about $893 million in losses.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Using AI agents to occupy scammers could reduce the chance that real people are targeted, while producing timely intelligence that banks, telecoms firms and public agencies can use to strengthen safeguards. Advocates may see it as a practical way to scale fraud prevention as scams grow more sophisticated, provided the agents do not expose personal data or interfere with investigations.
The case against
Critics may question whether covertly engaging scammers risks escalating their activity, tipping them off or complicating law-enforcement investigations. They may also argue that intelligence gathered by a private company needs clear oversight, reliable verification and strong privacy protections before organisations act on it.
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Originally published by TechCrunch as “Apate sends AI agents undercover to get scammed so they can gather fraud intelligence”.