Secretary of State Urges Vigilance as AI Fraud Schemes Rise in Nevada

The Nevada Secretary of State’s Office is warning residents to stay alert for scams amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Officials said criminals are exploiting uncertainty by impersonating government agencies, law enforcement, and financial experts — increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing fakes.

Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar urged caution, noting that scammers “are always looking to take advantage of those in vulnerable situations.” He added that Nevadans should be skeptical of urgent requests for money or personal information and verify any communication claiming to be from an official source.

The alert follows findings from the 2025 Enforcement Report by the North American Securities Administrators Association, which identified digital asset scams, social media fraud, and AI-generated impersonation as leading threats this year. Fraudsters are reportedly using cloned voices and fabricated videos to trick victims into transferring money, granting device access, or revealing sensitive data.

“These scams are increasingly polished, personalized, and difficult to detect until after significant losses occur,” the office said in a statement.

To help residents protect themselves, the Secretary of State’s Office shared several precautionary steps:

Verify government communications by contacting agencies directly through their official websites rather than using contact details provided in suspicious messages.
Confirm investment professionals by checking state licensing records or contacting the SOS Securities Division at (702) 486-2440.
Be cautious with personal requests, even from familiar voices, as AI tools can mimic loved ones or acquaintances. Officials recommend setting up a private verification phrase among family members for emergencies.

Residents who suspect they’ve been targeted by investment or impersonation fraud are encouraged to report incidents to the Secretary of State’s Office or national agencies such as the SEC, NASAA, or FINRA.

Source: Nevada Secretary of State’s Office