Her grandson’s voice said he was under arrest. This senior was almost scammed with suspected AI voice cloning
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, using artificial intelligence to clone voices and deceive unsuspecting victims. One Ontario senior, Marilyn Crawford, fell victim to such a scam when she received a call from someone claiming to be her grandson, Ian, in trouble with the police.
The caller convinced Marilyn that Ian had been arrested for stealing a car and needed $9,000 to be released. Despite the voice sounding slightly different, Marilyn was anxious to help her grandson and agreed to pay up. It wasn’t until a taxi arrived to take her to a bank that she realized something was wrong.
Experts warn that scammers are using AI to replicate voices and videos to impersonate victims’ family members or friends. By harvesting personal information from social media posts, scammers can create convincing deepfakes to trick their targets. Keith Elliott, a certified fraud examiner, explains that people unknowingly provide fraudsters with a wealth of personal information online, making it easy for scammers to target them.
Retired CIA officer Peter Warmka describes AI as a “playground” for scammers, who can use just a few seconds of a voice sample to deceive victims into sending large sums of money. To protect yourself, Warmka suggests establishing a code word or phrase with family and friends to verify their identity over the phone.
In Marilyn’s case, a vigilant bank employee flagged the suspicious transaction before any money was transferred. Her son, Kevin Crawford, condemns those who target vulnerable seniors with these scams, emphasizing the devastating impact it can have on unsuspecting victims.
As technology continues to advance, it is essential to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect yourself from falling victim to these sophisticated scams. By staying informed and being cautious with personal information online, you can reduce the risk of becoming a target for fraudsters.
