Technological innovations bring change, but they also create opportunities for crime. Artificial Intelligence has taken this trend further, giving scams a reach that their creators may not have imagined.
Therefore, there is a trend of using AI to make fraudulent calls from foreign numbers. These scams, which use AI voices that mimic well-known people, are wreaking havoc on users’ trust.
Imagine receiving an urgent call from a family member or friend, asking for financial help or confidential information. Is he really who he says he is, or is he just an imitation created by an AI algorithm?
Learn all about AI call scams from foreign numbers, from how these scams work, to the protective measures we can take to defend ourselves against them.
What is the modus operandi of these scams?
The operation of these scams is based on the use of AI algorithms trained on audio data, to accurately and convincingly replicate the vocal characteristics of specific people.
The process begins with the collection of voice recordings of the person you intend to imitate. These recordings are obtained from various sources, such as social networks, interviews, podcasts or other media.
The more recordings there are to train the algorithm, the more accurate it is to reproduce the voice. Once the training data is collected, an AI algorithm is used to process and analyze the voice recordings.
The AI is then able to generate a replica of the voice, indistinguishable from the real voice for many listeners. This replica is used to make fake calls, request payments, or perform other types of deception.
The effectiveness of these scams lies in the realism of the synthetic voice to deceive the recipients, making them believe that they are talking to a real person. This familiar voice, as long as it has a compelling narrative and an emotional tone, leads victims to make harmful decisions.
Real cases of phone scams with AI
One of the most notorious cases of phone scams occurred when a mother received a seemingly urgent call from her daughter, who had allegedly been kidnapped and needed an immediate ransom.
The voice on the other end of the phone sounded exactly like her daughter’s, leading the mother to believe that the situation was real.
After following the scammer’s instructions and transferring a large amount of money, the mother learned that her daughter was safe and that she had been the victim of a scam using artificial intelligence to mimic her daughter’s voice.
Another prominent case involves an individual who received a call from his “boss” asking for sensitive information of important clients. The voice on the phone sounded identical to that of his superior and the employee did not hesitate to provide the requested information.
Later, he discovered that he had been the victim of a scam using artificial intelligence to replicate his boss’s voice and gain access to sensitive company data.
Additional risks and challenges
In addition to financial losses and the vulnerability of personal data, AI phone scams pose risks to victims and society at large:
Emotional and psychological impact
These scams can cause extreme stress and psychological trauma for victims, who may believe they are talking to an endangered loved one or authority figure.
This emotional impact can last long after the call is discovered, affecting people’s confidence and mental well-being.
Erosion of trust in communications
The proliferation of these scams undermines trust in legitimate communications, making it difficult to detect threats and communicate between individuals and organizations.
This creates a climate of distrust in telephone communications, making it even more difficult to identify genuine scams.
Overburdening Law Enforcement Agencies of Resources
The increase in fraudulent calls overburdens the resources of law enforcement agencies and protecting citizens from crime. This makes it difficult to fight these crimes and compromises the ability of authorities to respond effectively to other emergencies.
Challenges in detection and prevention
The rapid evolution of technology presents constant challenges in detecting and preventing these scams. Fraudsters adapt their tactics and use advanced algorithms, requiring cyber defenses to keep up to date to deal with these threats.
Prevention and protection measures against this type of scam
Learn about some prevention measures against AI phone scams:
- Education and awareness: The public should be informed about the risks of AI-powered phone scams and how to identify them through training programs and awareness campaigns.
- Verification of the identity of the interlocutor: Before giving personal information or making financial transactions, the identity of the caller must be verified by returning the call with a verified contact number.
- Use of detection technology: Use third-party apps and services that offer caller blocking and identification, and spam filtering to protect against phone scams.
- Creating passwords or security phrases: Establish passwords or security phrases with family and close friends, to verify the authenticity of a call and avoid falling into a telephone scam.
- Reporting Fraudulent Calls: Report fraudulent calls to authorities in your country to help track down and stop scammers, as well as alert others to potential threats.
Prevention of these scams is possible
AI phone scams from foreign numbers are a growing threat in this day and age. These scams exploit familiarity to deceive, causing not only financial losses, but also an emotional and psychological impact.
However, with the right awareness and taking preventive measures, we can better protect ourselves against these deceptions.
The population must be educated about the risks, the identity of the interlocutors must be verified, and any fraudulent activity must be reported. By taking these steps, we can strengthen our safety and make phone calls a safe space for everyone.
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