China has launched an artificial intelligence-powered anti-fraud application to help the public identify and guard against telecom and online scams, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Sunday.

The app, called "national anti-fraud AI," was independently developed by the Shanghai Public Security Bureau under the guidance of the ministry's criminal investigation bureau, as part of efforts to make fraud prevention more digitalized and intelligent.

Integrating large language models, multimodal models, and AI agent technologies, the app allows users to enter details of suspicious situations through their mobile phones. It can then assess potential risks, identify possible fraud tactics, provide prevention advice, and recommend relevant cases.

ALSO READ: China launches one-year campaign to deepen crackdown on organized crime

The app offers three main functions, according to the ministry. Its AI-powered question-and-answer service analyzes users' queries from multiple perspectives, including fraud risks, scam types, and preventive measures. It also provides related video cases to help users assess suspicious situations and learn about common fraud tactics in real time.

Additionally, the app includes an anti-fraud information section linked to content from the national anti-fraud center and Shanghai's anti-fraud media network. This section regularly publishes updates, warnings about prevalent and emerging scams, and analyses of typical cases through articles, graphics, and short videos.

A third section, described as an anti-fraud dictionary, contains electronic versions of the handbook on preventing telecom and online fraud and the national guide to fraud prevention. Users can browse the materials by category, search by keyword, or use a voice-reading function to learn about fraud prevention.

READ MORE: China to establish intl alliance to combat telecom and online fraud

The app is designed to break down scam tactics through text, audio, and video, providing practical advice to help users recognize suspicious situations more quickly. It is now available through major mobile application stores, with services also accessible through mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay, allowing users to quickly access its anti-fraud functions.

The ministry stated that the launch aims to further improve the use of information technology and AI in fraud prevention and strengthen the public's ability to identify and avoid telecommunications and online scams.