AI Voice Scams Tactic

The distressing incident underscoring the dangers of technologically advanced scams, a 59-year-old woman, Prabhjyot (name changed for privacy), fell victim to an AI-generated voice fraud, losing a substantial sum of ₹1.4 lakh.

Late at night, Prabhjyot received a call that initially seemed to be from her nephew in Canada. The caller skillfully replicated her nephew’s voice, speaking fluent Punjabi and weaving a narrative of a dire situation, including an alleged accident and impending legal trouble. Still in shock, Prabhjyot shared, “He sounded just like my nephew and spoke exactly in the Punjabi we speak at home with all the nuances. He called me late in the night and said he had an accident and was about to be jailed. He requested me to transfer money and keep this conversation a secret.” Unfortunately, Prabhjyot realized the deceit only after executing multiple money transfers to the account specified by the fraudulent caller.

Cybersecurity experts, alarmed by the rising prevalence of AI voice frauds, cautioned that individuals with relatives in countries like Canada and Israel are increasingly becoming targets of such scams. Prasad Patibandla, Director of Operations at the Centre for Research on Cyber Intelligence and Digital Forensics (CRCIDF) in Delhi, explained that AI voice imitating tools can precisely mimic a person’s voice by utilizing data available in the public domain, such as social media recordings or sales calls made by fraudsters. Creating a sense of urgency by fabricating a distressed situation in a foreign country adds to the effectiveness of these scams.

While AI-related frauds may not be extensively reported at cybercrime police stations, authorities urge the public to exercise vigilance and verify the legitimacy of distress calls from relatives in countries prone to such fraudulent activities. KVM Prasad, ACP of Cyber Crime in Hyderabad, emphasized the importance of skepticism: “AI voice frauds are occurring, albeit in fewer numbers. It’s crucial for people to confirm the urgency of the situation before transferring any funds.”

This incident serves as a stark reminder for an individuals to remain cautious and verify the authenticity of distress calls, especially when solicited for immediate financial aid purportedly from family members residing abroad.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The India Today