Phone scammers beware—there’s a new hero in town, and she’s wasting your time one hilarious conversation at a time.
Meet Daisy, an AI-powered “granny” designed by O2 and Virgin Media to foil fraudsters by engaging them in endless, nonsensical chatter. Equipped with witty responses and plenty of patience, Daisy is proving to be a formidable foe for scammers who rely on unsuspecting victims to fall for.
Who Is Daisy?
Daisy isn’t your average AI chatbot. She’s a charmingly cheeky “grandmother” whose sole purpose is to engage scammers in endless, often nonsensical conversations. Whether she’s reminiscing about her fictional cat Fluffy or pretending to misunderstand a scammer’s instructions, Daisy is a master at keeping fraudsters on the line for as long as possible.
Omar Latif, Head of Fraud Operations at Virgin Media O2, says Daisy was created to “help disrupt scammers and waste their time, preventing them from targeting vulnerable individuals.”
Daisy is powered by artificial intelligence and programmed with a variety of quirky responses to confuse, frustrate, and ultimately derail scammers’ plans. From innocent misunderstandings to outlandish stories, she’s designed to stay on the line longer than most people would—and she does it with style.
How Daisy Works
When a scammer calls a number protected by Virgin Media O2, they’re routed to Daisy. Instead of hanging up, Daisy begins a conversation designed to lead them in circles.
For example, if a scammer claims they need personal information, Daisy might respond with:
“Oh dear, you’ll have to forgive me. I’ve been having a terribly hard time finding my reading glasses. Fluffy knocked them off the table—oh, you’d love Fluffy, he’s just the sweetest little cat…”
By keeping the scammer talking, Daisy achieves two things:
- She wastes their time, preventing them from targeting others.
- She gathers valuable information about their tactics, which can be used to refine anti-fraud measures.
Why Daisy Is Such An Important Advancement In Telecoms
Scams have become a global issue, with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated methods to trick unsuspecting individuals into handing over money or sensitive information. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, are particularly at risk.
Daisy acts as both a shield and a time-waster, intercepting scam calls before they reach potential victims. This proactive approach not only protects individuals but also frustrates scammers, making their illegal activities less efficient.
Omar Latif adds, “Scammers thrive on speed and deception. Daisy disrupts that by turning the tables and giving them a taste of their own medicine.”
Daisy Is Already Making an Impact
Since its introduction, Daisy has wasted hours of scammers’ time and gained widespread attention for her creative approach to combating fraud. Her creators are already exploring ways to enhance her capabilities, ensuring she can keep up with evolving scam tactics.
The public’s response to Daisy has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have praised the initiative for its cleverness and effectiveness, with some even suggesting Daisy should expand her talents to tackle scam emails and texts.
The Future of Scam-Fighting AI
Daisy is part of a growing trend of using AI to fight cybercrime and fraud. As scammers become more sophisticated, so too must the tools used to counter them. Virgin Media O2’s AI granny is a reminder that innovation and humor can go hand in hand when solving serious problems.
For now, scammers have a new adversary they’ll wish they never encountered. And for the rest of us, Daisy is a heartwarming reminder that even artificial intelligence can deliver a much-needed laugh.
So next time a scammer calls, let Daisy take the wheel—and watch as they’re drawn into her delightful web of mischief.
