‘Obviously fake AI slop’: Seed scam promises supersized, technicolor flowers — and people are falling for it by the thousands

The primary fraud strategy lies in luring buyers with images of stunningly picturesque AI-generated images on digital retail outlets, promising quick deliveries, and then either shipping fake seeds or no seeds at all.

The kicker? Since seeds take weeks to grow, buyers are out of luck with returns, as the window to make one closes within 21 days, Shlomi Beer, co-founder and CEO at ImpersonAlly, a fraud prevention services company, told Moneywise.

And online retail sites are starting to catch on.

eBay recently canceled a phony seed listing channel for roses that had totaled 37,271 sales, while “teddy bear” sunflowers continue to be listed. In a statement to 404 Media, eBay said its “trust is foundational” and that it would accelerate efforts to root out fraudsters. The online retailer also said it’s using AI-based tracking tools and compliance audits to thwart seed-sale scammers.

Exploitation of data is increasing too, as concerns about generative AI grow, ad fraud experts say.

“The data exploitation problem is getting worse because Gen AI is making it easier for scam artists to produce images of non-existent items at no expense,” Burkan Bur, managing director of The Ad Firm, told Moneywise.

If scammers obtain your payment information through a sale, it’s unclear whether it will be used for other fraudulent activity.

What’s behind the seed scam

With digital seed scams, the trick lies in AI technology that allows fraud artists to create seemingly impossible, uniquely shaped flora that, to the naked eye, look all too real. Fraudulent seed images can include everyday flowers like roses, tulips and orchids, as well as more exotic, even otherworldly flowers like galaxy dahlias, glowing blue roses and multicolored hostas.

“AI has lowered costs to creating these fake images, and there is no need for photography equipment, shooting staff or editing,” Beer told Moneywise.

A big part of the problem is that it’s easy and cheap to create variations from original images in minutes.

“The fact that fraudsters base themselves in real images and modify them using AI makes it easy to do trial and error on what works and what doesn’t,” Beer noted. “Fake seed is effective since they have a delayed verification. By the time reality catches up, sometimes months have passed, making refunds or chargebacks impossible.”

Digital retail sites bear some responsibility for seed scams, with timing among the key areas where ecommerce companies fall short on seed fraud.

“Most marketplaces optimize for products that fail immediately, not products whose defects aren’t discovered for months,” Beer said. “Scammers intentionally choose products where the evidence of fraud appears long after refund windows have closed.”

Marketplaces could also better protect consumers “by extending dispute periods for products with naturally delayed outcomes and using AI also to detect suspicious patterns like unrealistic product images,” said Beer.

Online seed consumers need to tread cautiously

Seed lovers need to adjust their thinking about avoiding product scams — and the sooner, the better.

“People should think of seeds the same way they think about unknown software downloads or suspicious email attachments,” Beer said. “You wouldn’t install something from an unknown source simply because it’s cheap. It’s no different than eating unsolicited food that was delivered to your house; you simply wouldn’t do it.”

If you believe you’re dealing with an online scammer or are worried about falling victim to a similar scheme, there are a couple of things you can do before placing an order.

“Verify the seller, and read as many reviews as possible, also in other marketplaces or online,” Beer advised.