Feel irritated with spam calls? New AI bot is here to take revenge for you by wasting their time

Phone scams are becoming an increasingly pervasive threat, preying on unsuspecting individuals with convincing schemes. To tackle this issue, UK telecom company O2 has introduced an innovative solution: Daisy, an AI-powered "scambaiter" designed to pose as a sweet, elderly grandmother. Daisy’s primary goal is to waste scammers' time by engaging them in long conversations, keeping them distracted and away from potential victims.

Part of O2’s "Swerve the Scammers" campaign, Daisy not only frustrates fraudsters but also helps expose their tactics. By leveraging advanced AI alongside public awareness efforts, O2 is turning the tables on scammers, showing how technology can be a powerful tool in the fight against fraud.

Daisy’s lifelike persona is designed to mimic a sweet, elderly grandmother, complete with rambling anecdotes and a voice that plays on scammers’ biases about older individuals. By drawing fraudsters into long, pointless conversations about her fictional knitting projects or fabricated family drama, Daisy keeps them occupied and away from real victims.


The AI has proven highly effective, with scammers often staying on the line for up to 40 minutes. During these conversations, Daisy feeds them false personal information and fake bank details, frustrating their attempts and disrupting their schemes.

Developed by O2 in collaboration with seasoned scambaiters, including YouTube’s Jim Browning, Daisy’s strategies are finely tuned to outsmart fraudsters. Her phone number is even added to scammer databases to proactively attract calls, intercepting fraudulent attempts before they can target vulnerable individuals.

Murray MacKenzie, Director of Fraud at Virgin Media O2, highlighted Daisy’s dual role: “Daisy not only beats scammers at their own game but also serves as a reminder to stay vigilant. Fraudsters can be highly convincing, but they’re not always who they claim to be.”

### O2’s Broader Mission: Strengthening Scam Prevention in the UK

The "Swerve the Scammers" campaign aims to educate the public about common scam tactics and promote vigilance. O2 has been actively blocking millions of scam calls and texts each month and encourages consumers to forward suspicious messages to 7726, a free service for reporting scams. The company is also advocating for systemic changes, including the creation of a dedicated fraud minister and a national task force to combat scams.

Daisy’s efforts have gained additional momentum through public figures like reality TV star Amy Hart, who once fell victim to a £5,000 scam. Together, they are raising awareness about the importance of recognizing and avoiding fraudulent schemes.

If you receive a suspicious call, simply hang up, report it, and let Daisy take over. With her endless patience and clever tactics, this AI-powered "grandmother" ensures scammers are no match for her.


(with TOI inputs)