AI scam alert: Man loses Rs 1.58 lakh in an AI voice scam

In a distressing incident, a government official lost Rs 1.58 lakh to an AI voice scam where a fraudster cunningly mimicked a relative's voice through artificial intelligence (AI) to deceive the victim. The incident occurred earlier this month, and the victim shared his devastating experience.

It all starts with a phone call

The victim received a call on 6 December 2023 from an unidentified mobile number. The caller, using AI voice spoofing, imitated the voice of the victim's brother-in-law, a judge in New Delhi. The scammer spun a tale of urgent financial need for the medical treatment of a friend in Lucknow. Believing it to be his brother-in-law, he transferred Rs 1.58 lakh to the account provided by the caller.

"The voice of the caller resembled that of my brother-in-law... and so I transferred the funds," the victim expressed.

Realisation & complaint

Upon later conversation with his actual brother-in-law, Prashant discovered the deception. His brother-in-law advised him to report the incident to the police. An FIR was lodged on 21 December 2023 under relevant sections of the IPC and IT Act, as confirmed by JK Singh, SHO, Hussainganj.

"Later, when I spoke to my brother-in-law, he denied having called me. He also asked me to lodge a complaint with the police,” recounted the victim.

AI voice scam unveiled

Cyber expert Triveni Singh explained that the 'AI voice scam' employs artificial intelligence to replicate a person's voice, often targeting victims by posing as familiar figures like family members or friends. This deceptive technique aims to trick individuals into disclosing personal information or making financial transfers.

"Scammers often use this technique to pose as family members, friends, or even customer service representatives to trick the victim into divulging personal information or sending money," warned Triveni Singh, former SP (cyber cell).

As authorities investigate the matter, this incident serves as a stark reminder to stay vigilant against evolving cyber threats, especially those utilising advanced technologies for fraudulent activities.