Translational Criminology Seminar Series—Deepfakes, Cryptocrime and Risk Management: Strategies for a Safer Digital Future

AI-powered deepfakes and cryptocurrency-related crimes are escalating cyber threats, creating significant challenges for risk management and crime prevention. High-profile cases, such as the $25 million Arup fraud in Hong Kong and the nearly $1.5 billion Bybit hack, demonstrate how these technologies enable sophisticated scams, including phishing, large-scale theft and money laundering, globally. This research seminar explores how deepfakes and cryptocrime exploit vulnerabilities such as inadequate verification systems and overreliance on digital communication. Drawing on criminology, behavioural science and emergency management, it proposes interdisciplinary strategies, community education, digital literacy and critical thinking training, and enhanced security measures like multi-factor authentication, to address these risks. These approaches aim to equip individuals, organisations and societies to build resilient systems for a secure digital future.