Apate.ai Deploys Thousands of Covert AI Agents to Scam the Scammers

Apate.ai: Covert AI Agents Lure Scammers to Gather Fraud Intelligence

Australian company Apate.ai, founded in 2024 from research at Macquarie University in Sydney, has announced the deployment of thousands of undercover AI agents that impersonate potential victims to interact with scammers via calls, messages, emails, and social platforms. The company is a finalist in the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt, held at Moscone West in San Francisco until October 15.

Announcement Details & New Technical Features

Apate.ai employs a hybrid architecture combining frontier models with models trained internally on actual scammer conversations and founder Dali Kaafar's research at Macquarie University. The idea originated from a real scam call Kaafar received during a family picnic, where the scammer kept him on the line for 44 minutes. He later realized that automating this process could save valuable time and gather intelligence. The agents use machine learning and natural language processing to detect scam call content and develop better detection and prevention methods.

Clients can assign agents specific tasks, such as obtaining a bank account number or digital wallet address. Text agents scour forums, investment groups, and social platforms for potential fraudulent activity, then engage in conversations under fake identities to extract scammer details. The client base includes Commonwealth Bank of Australia, TPG Telecom, utilities, telecom companies, and other government agencies. Brad Joffe, co-founder and commercial director, said: "Most of the industry operates after the fact. Telecoms block numbers but scammers get new ones. Banks monitor transactions but the scammer has already reached the customer. We go directly to the scammer and get information before anyone is harmed."

According to FBI data, the bureau received over 22,000 AI-related crime complaints in 2025, with losses approaching $893 million. More than $632 million came from investment fraud, where scammers use AI to manage conversations and fake voices and images of celebrities, executives, and trusted figures. This context explains the growing need for proactive solutions like Apate.

Benchmark & Competitive Performance

Unlike traditional anti-fraud solutions that operate after damage occurs—such as telecom number blocking or bank transaction monitoring—Apate offers a proactive model that acts before the scammer reaches the victim. The company's agents have already demonstrated significant impact: Commonwealth Bank reported a 76% reduction in reported fraud losses, TPG Telecom diverted approximately 590,000 calls to Apate agents, and an unnamed Australian bank disrupted 22 fraud campaigns. These results highlight the effectiveness of engaging scammers directly to gather intelligence and disrupt operations.

Industry Impact & Enterprise Adoption

Apate.ai's approach represents a paradigm shift in fraud prevention, moving from reactive defense to proactive offense. By deploying AI agents that can mimic diverse personas and languages, the company addresses the global nature of fraud. The $8.15 million seed funding from investors like Lobby Capital, OIF Ventures, Investible, Concept Ventures, and Baobab Ventures underscores confidence in this model. With plans to open a London office and expand in the US, Apate is poised to scale its operations and protect more organizations worldwide.

Conclusion

Apate.ai's covert AI agents are turning the tables on scammers by wasting their time and extracting valuable intelligence. With proven results for major banks and telecoms, and substantial funding, the company is well-positioned to lead the fight against AI-powered fraud. As scammers increasingly leverage AI, solutions like Apate will become essential for enterprises and governments alike.

Media Source: TechCrunch AI | Fact Verification & Analysis: AI Tools Oasis