Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) has partnered with cyber-intelligence firm Apate.ai to leverage AI-powered intelligence in combating scams.
The initiative marks a first in Australian banking, aiming to protect Australians from fraudulent activities by employing near real-time scam intelligence.
CommBank has introduced a fleet of AI-powered bot profiles developed by Apate.ai, a spin-out from Macquarie University.
The bots are designed to engage with scammers, gather critical intelligence, and disrupt scam operations.
The intelligence collected is used by CommBank to enhance the security of its customers and the broader Australian community.
Apate.ai CEO and founder professor Dali Kaafar said: “We’re on a mission to dismantle the business models of scammers around the world.
“Our bots share near real-time intelligence with our partners like CommBank to fight scams, helping to shield consumers and businesses and making it harder for scammers to operate.”
Apate.ai deploys thousands of conversational AI bots daily to engage scammers through text-based conversations and voice calls.
The sophisticated network of bots builds on a successful pilot programme initiated by Macquarie University in late 2024, expanding its reach and effectiveness.
The system operates on a “Honeypot” strategy. In collaboration with telecommunications partners, Apate.ai maintains a vast network of dedicated telephone numbers.
The telephone numbers are designed to attract scammers, who unknowingly engage with AI-powered bots instead of real individuals.
When scammers attempt to contact potential victims, the AI bots engage them in extended conversations.
The intelligence gathered is fed directly into CommBank’s scam control systems and shared with the broader cross-sector anti-scam ecosystem, providing near real-time insights.
CommBank group fraud general manager James Roberts said: “Every minute a scammer is engaging with a bot is a minute they’re not targeting an Australian.
“The near real-time intelligence being gathered is a game-changer in how we help to protect our customers and the broader community. Protecting Australians from scams requires a united, cross-sector approach.
“At CommBank, we’re focused on investing in innovative technologies to help combat scams and strengthen Australia’s broader anti-scam ecosystem.
“Our initiatives focus on enhancing cybersecurity, raising public awareness, and collaborating with industry leaders to build a safer digital environment for all Australians.”
Earlier this year, CommBank announced a five-year collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance cloud modernisation and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.
Under the partnership, AWS will continue as the bank’s preferred cloud provider, supporting CommBank’s efforts to bolster its digital infrastructure and customer experience.
