Artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and international crime

Corporate criminals co-opted the artificial intelligence system they were paid to develop under a classified government contract. The crooked executives used the system to support their drug-smuggling, human-trafficking, and money-laundering operations.

During their previous mission, J. R. Finn and Mary O'Brien, agents of a clandestine private security company called Phorcys, eliminated the executives who misappropriated the technology. With their help, the government recovered the prototype AI system and rounded up the lower-level participants in its misuse.

A new, independent group of criminals is filling the vacancies in the remains of the crime ring as new management reorganizes the legitimate parts of the corporation. The government retains Phorcys to identify and eliminate the people taking over the drug-smuggling, human-trafficking, and money-laundering businesses.

As they dig deeper into the reemerging criminal activity, Finn and Mary discover that the government's intelligence is incomplete. The criminal masterminds are hiding behind deepfakes, and they're using an advanced version of the AI system developed for the government's use to further their criminal interests.

Deepfakes and Diablas is perfect for fans of mystery thrillers set in the tropics.