CRITICAL THREAT
AI Voice Cloning Scam
Scammers use AI to clone the voice of a family member, then call claiming to be in an emergency and needing money immediately.
Losses: Emerging — individual losses of $5,000-$50,000+ reported
Targets: Parents and grandparents, anyone with family
Updated: 2026-01-06
Also known as: Grandparent Scam 2.0 • Family Emergency Scam • Deepfake Voice Scam
1How It Works
Scammers use AI technology to clone someone's voice from just a few seconds of audio — often pulled from social media videos, TikTok, YouTube, or voicemail greetings.
**How it happens:**
1. Scammer finds audio of your family member online (even 3 seconds is enough)
2. AI software clones the voice
3. You receive a panicked phone call that sounds exactly like your child or grandchild
4. "Mom, I've been in an accident / I'm in jail / I'm in trouble"
5. The "family member" begs you not to tell anyone and to send money immediately
6. A "lawyer," "police officer," or "doctor" may get on the line to add legitimacy
7. They request payment via wire transfer, Zelle, or cash pickup
**Why it works:**
The voice sounds identical to your loved one. The panic is real. Your instinct is to help immediately without verification.
How Scammers Make Contact
Phone callsVoice messages
2Warning Signs & Red Flags
- Unexpected call from family member in crisis
- Caller asks you not to tell other family members
- Urgency — "Don't call back, just send money now"
- Requests unusual payment methods (wire, Zelle, gift cards, cash)
- Third party gets on the phone (fake lawyer, police, doctor)
- They don't want you to hang up and verify
- Something feels "off" even if the voice sounds right
3Real-World Example
"I got a call that sounded exactly like my daughter, crying and saying she'd been in a car accident and was being arrested. A man got on the phone claiming to be her lawyer and said I needed to send $9,000 cash for bail immediately. He said if I called anyone or told my husband, she'd go to jail. I was about to send it when my husband came home and insisted we call her actual phone. She answered — she was fine, at work, and had no idea what I was talking about."
— CNN Business, March 2024
4How to Protect Yourself
- Create a family code word — a secret phrase only your family knows for emergencies
- Always verify by calling back on their known number (not the one they called from)
- Ask a question only they would know the answer to
- Don't trust caller ID — it can be spoofed
- Be cautious about what you post publicly (voice videos, etc.)
- Warn elderly family members about this scam
- If in doubt, tell them you'll call right back and hang up
5What To Do If You're a Victim
- 1Stop all communication with the scammer
- 2Contact your actual family member immediately to verify they're safe
- 3If you sent money, contact your bank or wire service immediately
- 4Report to local police
- 5Report to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
- 6Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report This Scam
?Frequently Asked Questions
What is AI Voice Cloning Scam?
Scammers use AI to clone the voice of a family member, then call claiming to be in an emergency and needing money immediately. Scammers use AI technology to clone someone's voice from just a few seconds of audio — often pulled from social media videos, TikTok, YouTube, or voicemail greetings.
**How it happens:**
1. Scammer finds audio of your family member online (even 3 seconds is enough)
2. AI software clones the voice
3...
How common is this type of scam?
AI Voice Cloning Scam is classified as a critical risk threat. Reported losses: Emerging — individual losses of $5,000-$50,000+ reported. This primarily targets Parents and grandparents, anyone with family.
Can I get my money back?
Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.
How do I report this?
Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. Also contact your local police and your bank.
Sources & References
Related Scams
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