Fake AI Automated Agent Tool Scam - Claiming to replace human labor with one click, actually implanting backdoors and mining programs

Who Gets Targeted

Victims are mostly small and medium-sized enterprise heads, tech entrepreneurs, and freelancers, as well as technicians looking for side gigs on recruitment platforms. Eager to leverage AI to reduce costs and increase efficiency, they generally lack security audit experience and easily fall for promotions such as 'one-click human replacement' and '7x24 unattended operation'. Taking chances, they pay in advance and directly deploy programs from unknown sources. After being scammed, not only are subscription and development fees difficult to recover, but their servers are also implanted with cryptocurrency mining or backdoor programs. Similar malicious programs have been monitored to have infected a cumulative total of 16,054 devices (according to the CNCERT briefing on 2026-07-31), causing actual losses such as hijacked computing power and business paralysis.

骗局怎么运作

• Step 1: Fraudsters post exaggerated promotions on tech forums, WeChat groups, or social media, claiming that their 'one-click AI automated Agent' can achieve 24/7 unattended operation, automated customer service, intelligent marketing, and other functions, while displaying forged case videos and comparative data to induce strong interest from targets.
• Step 2: Scammers demand victims to pay high subscription fees or one-off development fees in advance, often applying pressure with sales pitches like 'limited-time discount' or 'early bird price', and provide seemingly legitimate websites or payment QR codes, while the actual funds flow to illegal overseas accounts.
• Step 3: After the victim pays, scammers provide a download link or private Git repository, claiming it can be deployed directly; the actual downloaded files conceal backdoors or encrypted mining programs, and once executed, they perform cryptocurrency mining or data collection on the victim's server or local machine.
• Step 4: Fraudsters demonstrate 'functions' via video conference or technical support groups, utilizing pre-implanted scripts to create a false impression that makes victims mistakenly believe the tool is working properly, and further collect 'tuning fees' or 'feature extension fees'.
• Step 5: When victims discover system anomalies or account bans, scammers immediately vanish or extort them under the guise of 'technical failures requiring extra fees', and even threaten to expose internal enterprise data to force victims into making further payments.

红旗信号（看到这些快跑）

• 🚩 Promises zero development cost or extremely high returns while requiring advance lump-sum payment
• 🚩 Provides download links or private Git repositories not registered on official platforms
• 🚩 Lacks genuine user reviews and third-party evaluation reports in promotional materials
• 🚩 Uses professional terminology with chaotic phrasing, leaving no trace in official documentation searches
• 🚩 Conducts promotion through private communities, direct messaging, or unofficial channels

真实案例

• In June 2025, a developer was lured on a tech forum into purchasing an 'AI automation assistant'. After paying 30,000 RMB, the downloaded program was detected to have Monero mining code implanted, resulting in their server being banned by the internet service provider.
• In March 2026, a small e-commerce company paid 100,000 RMB to subscribe to a 'fully automated customer service Agent'. Within two weeks of launch, the customer service system was remotely controlled by attackers, leading to the leakage of personal information of over a thousand users, which was subsequently used for fraud.
• In July 2026, a startup team was recommended to use an 'AI project management Agent' in a startup WeChat group. After paying 50,000 RMB, the tool crashed frequently, and the team subsequently received a blackmail email claiming their project code had been acquired and threatening to publicize it.

Official Stance

• Wuxi Municipal Public Security Bureau, 2026-04-07, published 'Beware of the Scam Traps Behind the AI 'Lobster Raising' Boom!' (Source: [https://ga.wuxi.gov.cn/doc/2026/04/07/4756141.shtml](https://ga.wuxi.gov.cn/doc/2026/04/07/4756141.shtml))
• National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team / Coordination Center of China (CNCERT), 2026-07-31, published 'Risk Warning Regarding the Large-Scale Spread of Malicious Programs by the 'FakeSvc' Mining Organization' (Source: [https://www.cert.org.cn/publish/main/10/2026/20260731185549211877315/20260731185549211877315_.html](https://www.cert.org.cn/publish/main/10/2026/20260731185549211877315/20260731185549211877315_.html))
• National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team / Coordination Center of China (CNCERT), 2026-03-12, published 'Risk Warning Regarding OpenClaw Secure Applications' (Source: [https://www.cert.org.cn/publish/main/11/2026/20260312144519429724511/20260312144519429724511_.html](https://www.cert.org.cn/publish/main/11/2026/20260312144519429724511/20260312144519429724511_.html))

How to Protect Yourself

• ✅ Before purchasing any AI tool, be sure to verify the supplier's business registration information and qualifications, giving priority to products with official registration or public audit reports.
• ✅ Before downloading or pulling code, use authoritative security software or sandbox environments to conduct complete static and dynamic analysis, paying special attention to whether it contains cryptocurrency mining or unknown network requests.
• ✅ For automated tools involving critical business operations, enforce the principle of least privilege, strictly prohibit granting administrator permissions, and regularly audit logs to detect abnormal behavior.
• ✅ If encountering suspicious payment requests, promptly report to local public security organs or cyberspace administration departments, and retain chat records, payment vouchers, and other evidence for investigation.