Israeli AI Exposes Network Of Fake Viagra

An international network of Viagra counterfeiters was exposed after AI tracked the sale of machines used to stamp the dose onto the fake pills.

Israeli startup EverC, which combats cyber-fraud, followed the trail of over 1,000 websites selling the stamping machines on the black market in China.

The trail led them to customers who bought the machines. The company then passed on their details to the FBI.

EverC used its sophisticated artificial intelligence system, network scanners and big data analysis in an investigation commissioned by one of the largest credit clearing companies in the US.

In some cases researchers actually presented themselves as potential buyers to obtain bank details of the counterfeiters.

Amit Kushmirak, senior manager at EverC, said: “A drug stamping machine costs $9,000 to $17,000 on the black market, but each of them generates huge profits for buyers thanks to the large volumes of counterfeiting that are done with them.”

The machines are used to produce a range of legal drugs, such as ADHD mediation, as well as illegal drugs like ecstasy.

EverC says it uses sophisticated computer models to locate the counterfeiters from among the millions of legitimate pharmaceutical websites.

It uses an automated process of enhanced cyber intelligence gathering followed by advanced risk analysis to detect and combat hidden, illegal online activity.

Ariel Tiger, CEO of EverC: “These parties use sophisticated ways to to disguise themselves, and it is our job to expose them and allow law enforcement to deal with them.”