AI voice cloning is a method of copying someone’s voice using advanced technologies like audio signal processing, deep learning, and neural networks. These tools study a person’s unique way of speaking, including tone, pitch, rhythm, and pronunciation, to create a voice that sounds almost identical. Scammers use this technology to deceive people by making fake voices that are very hard to tell apart from the real ones. This makes it a powerful tool for deception and fraud.

1. Corporate fraud: In India, scammers used a cloned voice of the chairman of Bharti Enterprises to trick an employee into transferring funds. Fortunately, the scam was detected in time. According to the chairman himself, the cloned voice was highly convincing, making the deception particularly alarming. Similar case was reported in the UK where scammers used AI to clone the voice of Mark Read, the CEO of WPP, and trick a senior executive into thinking they were having a real meeting with him. They created a fake WhatsApp profile with his photo and used the cloned voice in a Microsoft Teams call. The fraudsters tried to steal money and sensitive information, but the scam was caught early, thanks to the alertness of the staff. In Germany, scammers used AI to copy a CEO’s voice and tricked a UK employee into transferring $243,000. The fake voice, mimicking the CEO’s tone and accent, requested urgent payment to a "supplier." The scam was uncovered when they asked for more money, and the employee confirmed with the real CEO. This shows how dangerous voice cloning scams can be. 
2. Family distress scams: Heard of mostly in Australia, India and the USA, this AI voice scam is likely to spread worldwide. In this scam, fraudsters use voice cloning to impersonate family members in urgent situations, such as a child in danger or someone involved in an accident, to trick people into sending money. The cloned voice sounds very real, making it difficult to identify as fake. The emotional distress of hearing a loved one in trouble causes victims to act quickly and transfer money without verifying the call's authenticity.
3. Kidnapping scams: Another type of family distress scam involves scammers using cloned voices of supposed family members in danger to demand ransom. These scams create fear and urgency, pushing victims to act without thinking. With just a small voice sample from social media or a phone call, scammers can create convincing voice clones. This makes the scam particularly dangerous, as the voice often sounds real enough to trick victims. In their panic and lack of time to verify, victims often end up paying the ransom to the scammers.

AI-powered voice cloning tools have become a weapon for scammers worldwide. They mimic voices to trick people, often calling loved ones with fake emergencies and asking for money. If you’ve fallen victim to this type of scam, here’s what you should do based on your location:

1. Your local law enforcement agency.
2. Consumer protection agencies.
3. Download Truecaller for future safeguarding. It has an extensive community and also shares regular scam alerts to its app users. Also, report the number here so that the community is also safeguarded.

AI voice cloning scams represent a growing threat, using advanced technologies to deceive individuals and organizations. From corporate frauds to preying on families through emotionally charged distress calls, these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and hard to detect. However, by staying vigilant and adopting preventative measures—like verifying calls through apps like Truecaller, using safe words, and limiting voice-sharing online—you can safeguard yourself and your loved ones. It’s also crucial to report any suspicious activity promptly to authorities, as collective awareness and swift action are key to combating this problem. As technology evolves, staying informed and prepared remains the best defense against AI voice scams.