AI-Powered Scams
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.
Reported Losses
Emerging — individual losses of $5,000-$50,000+ reported
Primary Targets
Parents and grandparents, anyone with family
Last Updated
2026-01-06
Also Known As
Grandparent Scam 2.0
How Scammers Contact You
How This Scam 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.
Red Flags to Watch For
- ⚠️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
📝 Real Victim Account
"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
How to Protect Yourself
- 1Create a family code word — a secret phrase only your family knows for emergencies
- 2Always verify by calling back on their known number (not the one they called from)
- 3Ask a question only they would know the answer to
- 4Don't trust caller ID — it can be spoofed
- 5Be cautious about what you post publicly (voice videos, etc.)
- 6Warn elderly family members about this scam
- 7If in doubt, tell them you'll call right back and hang up
🆘 What 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
🔗 Related Scams
📚 Sources & References
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