Cyber Crime
Cyber Criminals Use AI to Clone Voice and Scam Woman of Rs 32,000
Criminals exploit AI voice cloning, tricking a Lucknow woman into losing Rs 32,000 in a heartbreaking deception. Police launch investigation
LUCKNOW: In a chilling display of technology misuse, a woman in Lucknow became the victim of a sophisticated cybercrime on Sunday evening. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to clone her brother-in-law’s voice, the perpetrators tricked her into transferring Rs 32,000 under the guise of urgent medical expenses.
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Rajlakshmi Dohre, a resident of Subhash Nagar, received a call from an unknown number. The caller, who eerily mirrored her brother-in-law Dharmendra’s voice, spun a tale of distress. He claimed his daughter was hospitalized and he needed immediate financial assistance to cover the mounting medical bills. To lend further credence to his story, he fabricated details about failed UPI transactions, urging Rajlakshmi to send the money directly to his mobile number.
Caught off guard and overwhelmed by concern for her niece’s well-being, Rajlakshmi fell prey to the elaborate ruse. Without pausing to question or verify the caller’s identity, she transferred Rs 32,000, her hard-earned savings, to the designated phone number. It was only later, upon contacting her actual brother-in-law, that she realized the horrifying truth – she had been scammed.
“I was so panicked when I heard about my niece being in the hospital,” Rajlakshmi recounted, her voice choked with emotion. “He sounded exactly like Dharmendra, and I never even doubted it for a second. I just wanted to help them.”
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The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the growing sophistication of cybercrime tactics. The use of AI-powered voice cloning adds a new layer of complexity to these scams, making it even harder for unsuspecting victims to discern genuine distress calls from elaborate cons.
The Krishnanagar police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. SHO JP Singh assured the public that all efforts are being made to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“This case highlights the need for increased vigilance and awareness when it comes to online transactions and phone calls,” Singh stated. “We urge everyone to be wary of unsolicited calls, especially those claiming emergencies, and to verify the caller’s identity before making any financial transfers.”
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This not the first case, a Lucknow man lost Rs. 45,500 last month in a chilling scam where an AI voice mimicked his uncle’s pleas for help. Kartikeya, convinced by eerily accurate voice cloning and fake bank messages, transferred the money before realizing it was a con.
The cybercrime, reported at Gomtinagar police station, shows the growing sophistication of online fraud and the need for vigilance. It’s a stark reminder to remain cautious, verify sender identity, and avoid unfamiliar money transfers.