The interplay between artificial intelligence and cyber security: a Moldovan real-file example of how AI can lead to massive fraud

Abstract

Both artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity are relatively new concepts in the Republic of Moldova, which contributes to a heightened vulnerability to digital threats among the population. A relevant case illustrating this vulnerability is the TUX platform, an online “investment/crypto” scheme that was heavily promoted in Moldova in 2025. The platform promised extremely high returns, reportedly up to 4% per day. As a result, more then 50,000 Moldovans became victims, with total financial losses exceeding €48 million. Investigations conducted by experts and authorities concluded that TUX was not a legitimate investment platform, but rather a classic “pyramid” scheme. In this model, early investors were paid using funds contributed by new participants; when the flow of new users slowed, the system inevitably collapsed. A key element of the TUX scheme was the misuse of artificial intelligence as a marketing tool. The platform claimed to rely on advanced AI-driven trading and automated analysis; however, these claims were largely unsubstantiated and served primarily as a psychological mechanism to enhance credibility and attract new “investors”. In this context, AI functioned not as a protective cybersecurity tool, but as a means of deception. The TUX case highlights several systemic cybersecurity weaknesses in Moldova, including limited digital and financial literacy among the population, insufficient regulatory oversight, and low levels of cybersecurity awareness. Notably, the platform operated for months without official registration, underlying gaps in public institutional control. Furthermore, the scheme relied heavily on modern digital channels, including social media, messaging platforms (such as Telegram and WhatsApp), and fabricated online profiles, combining technology, psychology, and network effects to conduct large-scale fraud. Therefore, the TUX scam case in Moldova represents a significant example of contemporary cybercrime, demonstrating how the misuse of AI, combined with cybersecurity vulnerabilities and limited public awareness, can result in large-scale financial exploitation. It highlights the need for improved regulation, stronger cybersecurity frameworks, and enhanced digital education to mitigate similar risks in the future.