Artificial intelligence has a very wide scope these days. It can even create a customized image for you on your mobile phone, generate text as specified, help with camera settings, and much more. But it was only a matter of time before it began to be misused for nefarious purposes. A trend started in the USA last year, which will probably soon spread to Europe as well. These are fraudulent calls where on the other end is a person who has had artificial intelligence change their voice to one of your loved ones. And then all you have to do is apply for money “in a difficult life situation”…
The basic symptoms can also be seen in frauds in the Czech Republic, when attackers choose gullible pensioners whom they claim are their children or grandchildren and need money. In the US, fraud has grown to such large proportions that last year alone, gullible people sent over 11 million dollars to the accounts of fraudsters! The American FTC recorded 36,000 frauds last year, of which 5,100 involved voice editing during a telephone call. The number of these frauds increased by a third year-on-year.
Attackers always use the same tactics. They call pre-selected people and introduce themselves as children, grandchildren or old acquaintances who have just got into trouble and need a loan or send money straight away. Called persons in the handset recognize the voice of a “real person”, but it is generated by artificial intelligence according to several voice samples. And nowadays it’s not a problem to get them, for example, from posts on social networks. Scammers thus respond in text, which translates into spoken word.
The scam targets seniors
Of all the published contributions, a pair of elderly husbands stands out, who sent 15 thousand dollars (330 thousand CZK) to fraudsters through a Bitcoin terminal. They thought they were being called by their son, who got into trouble with the law after killing an American diplomat in a traffic accident. The crazier the story, the more often people act on impulse and send money without verifying that the person on the other end is actually the right person.
Attackers usually call from unknown or even foreign numbers, and in case of doubt, the first defense should be completely clear. Call the number that you have in the phone book for the person. And once again confirm the sending of money. Now we have a head start in the Czech Republic, but be prepared for the fact that one day similar scams will reach us as well. So now is the perfect time to let your parents or grandparents know so they can always double-check any ’emergency funding’ requests.
Source FTC
