AI-Driven Voice Cloning Scam Exploits Emotional Distress to Demand Money
Criminals are using artificial intelligence to clone a person's voice from as little as a three-second audio sample, employing freely available tools. This technology enables scammers to create convincing voicemails that demand money urgently, often claiming an emergency such as an accident involving a loved one. The typical scam involves a voicemail message where the cloned voice asks for money and sometimes provides bank details.
Voices can be collected from public social media sources or other small audio snippets, including silent calls where the scammer prompts the target to say phrases like "hello, who is there?" Experts, including Oliver Devane of McAfee, describe this scam as a form of spear phishing and note that just three seconds of audio can produce a strong voice match.
Criminals specifically exploit the concern families have for their loved ones and use emotional distress to pressure victims into quickly transferring money. To detect these scams, individuals are advised to pause and assess whether the voice really sounds like the person they know. Scammers may also fake telephone numbers, so verification is critical.
Verification methods include calling the person back using a known contact method, using separate communication channels, and setting up a codeword system with children or family members to confirm authenticity. It is strongly advised not to transfer any funds until the emergency claim has been verified. This report was published on 21 December 2025 by The Guardian.
