Man Swindled Out of $25,000 in AI Voice Scam: Warning to Others
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A man in Los Angeles was recently swindled out of $25,000 in a sophisticated scam that involved the use of artificial intelligence to replicate his son’s voice. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared his story in hopes of preventing others from falling for similar schemes.
The scam began with a phone call that the man believed was from his son, claiming that he had been involved in an accident where a pregnant woman was injured. Subsequent calls from individuals posing as lawyers convinced the man to send money for his son’s bail, totaling $25,000.
The scammers used advanced technology to make the calls and notifications seem legitimate, with the victim even confirming that the voice on the phone sounded exactly like his son. LAPD detective Chelsea Saeger explained that scammers are using AI to clone voices and create convincing stories to deceive their targets.
In this case, the victim’s daughter unknowingly handed over the money to an Uber driver who was part of the scam. The scammers continued to manipulate the victim by claiming that the situation had escalated, leading to additional demands for money.
After realizing he had been scammed, the victim felt embarrassed but decided to speak out to warn others about the dangers of such scams. Detective Saeger advised the public to never send money to unknown individuals, especially if they claim to be from government agencies or financial institutions.
The victim’s message to the public is clear: protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to similar scams. By sharing his story, he hopes to prevent others from experiencing the same financial loss and emotional distress.
As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of unexpected requests for money or personal information. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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