Brief
Australian AI startup Apate claims bots have wasted scammers 17 years of time
The Dubai‑based firm says its bots have engaged scammers in millions of calls and messages, gathering fraud data for partners.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Australian startup Apite announced that its artificial‑intelligence bots have spent the equivalent of 17 years talking to scammers, conducting 2.5 million fake conversations, the company told Gulf News.
What happened
Apate’s agents answer phone calls, reply to messages and emails, follow phishing links and join online scam groups, keeping fraudsters engaged while collecting details such as phone numbers, bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets. The company says Australian telco TPG has redirected nearly 590,000 suspicious calls to the bots, and that it works with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and other organisations.
What was said
Founder Dali Kaafar recounted that a 44‑minute scam call he received at a family picnic inspired the technology, noting that each minute a scammer spends with the bot is a minute not spent targeting a real victim.
How it came about
The idea grew from research at Macquarie University and led to Apate’s launch in 2024. The startup raised $8.15 million in seed funding in August and plans to expand internationally.
Key facts
- Apate’s AI bots have conducted 2.5 million conversations with suspected scammers. (gulfnews.com)
- The bots have wasted the equivalent of 17 years of scammers’ time. (gulfnews.com)
- TPG has diverted nearly 590,000 suspicious calls to Apate’s agents. (gulfnews.com)
- Apate raised $8.15 million in seed funding in August 2026. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “AI bots waste 17 years of scammers' time on 2. 5 million fake conversations”
