AI Powers Cybercrime's New 'Fifth Wave' with $5 Deepfakes and Automated Phishing

Explore the rise of AI-powered cybercrime, deepfake services, and dark LLMs making sophisticated attacks affordable and accessible.

By Content Team

Jan 20, 2026

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Cybercrime has entered a dangerous new era powered by AI, according to Group-IB's latest report. Since 2022, criminals can buy "synthetic identity kits" with AI video actors and cloned voices for just $5, while deepfake services start at $10 monthly.

Dark web discussions about AI crime tools exploded from under 50,000 messages annually (2020-2022) to 300,000 per year since 2023. Criminals now use "agentized" phishing that personalizes attacks and adapts in real-time using AI feedback.

Most concerning are "dark LLMs" - unrestricted AI models like Nytheon AI that help generate malware, scams, and exploits without ethical guardrails. These subscription services ($30-200 monthly) serve over 1,000 criminal users, making sophisticated attacks accessible to anyone with basic technical skills.

Source: Infosecurity Magazine

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