The Cyber Crime Control Cell of the Tamil Nadu Police has issued an advisory regarding a new impersonation scam using artificial intelligence (AI) voice cloning, urging citizens to be wary of nuisance calls received on their mobile phones.
Police say cyber fraudsters are now using voice cloning, which uses advanced AI technology, to imitate the voices of trusted individuals, such as family members, over the phone.
These calls use the pretext of an emergency to create a sense of urgency and distress, tricking victims into sending money immediately and taking advantage of their trust.
Police said the tactic highlights the sophistication of cybercrime and emphasizes the importance of awareness and caution to prevent residents from falling victim to such scams.
According to the Cybercrime Unit, the scam begins with a phone call to the victim from a scammer pretending to be someone the victim knows and trusts, such as a family member or friend. Scammers may claim they are in dire need of financial assistance due to fabricated emergencies or threats. Scammers use a variety of tactics to cause tension and emotional distress in their victims. They may use a sobbing or pleading tone, claiming that they are in a dire situation that requires immediate help.
Behind the scenes, fraudsters utilize sophisticated AI software to replicate the voice of the person they are impersonating. Obtain a voice sample of the person from a social media post or video, or simply by talking to the person over the phone using the “wrong number” tactic. Using this technology, it is possible to convincingly imitate not only the voice of the victim's trusted contacts, but also the intonation and emotional nuances.
“In a nutshell, fraudsters use cloned voices generated by AI to commit cyber crimes,” said Sanjay Kumar, ADGP, Cyber Crime Branch.
Once a sense of crisis and trust is established, the scammer demands that the victim send money immediately to resolve the crisis. He/she will often suggest using a fast and convenient payment method like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system to expedite the transaction. Victims' fear and desire to help a loved one may lead them to comply with a scammer's request without verifying the caller's credibility or the legitimacy of the situation.
After the transfer was completed, the victims contacted their family and friends themselves and realized that they had been deceived when they learned that they were never in distress or in need of financial assistance. you may notice. Police say that in addition to financial losses, victims may realize they have been defrauded, feel betrayed and violated, and suffer psychological distress.
Mr. Sanjay Kumar advises members of the public, especially if they are requesting urgent financial assistance, asking detailed questions, or asking a friend through a known verified number to verify their identity before making a call. /When contacting relatives, he advised to always verify the identity of the caller. action.
He also urged the public to stay informed about common scams, including this voice cloning scam, and learn how to recognize the red flags. Be wary of unexpected requests for money, especially if they involve urgent situations or emotional manipulation, he said.
If you think you are a victim of any such scam or come across any suspicious activity, please report the incident on Cybercrime toll-free helpline 1930 or register a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in please.
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