You receive a voicemail from your son or daughter. They sound panicked. They say they’ve been in an accident and urgently need money. You can hear the stress in their voice — and it really does sound like them.
But it may not be.
According to a recent report by The Guardian, criminals are now using artificial intelligence to clone people’s voices using tiny snippets of real audio, sometimes just a few seconds, taken from social media videos, voice notes, or phone calls.
This technology allows fraudsters to create highly convincing voice messages that sound exactly like a loved one in distress, designed to trigger panic and override rational thinking.
How the scam works
- You receive a voicemail, phone call or voice note that sounds exactly like a family member or close friend
- They claim to have been in an accident, robbed, arrested or injured
- They sound distressed and create a strong sense of urgency
- You’re asked to send money quickly, often to an unfamiliar bank account
- Details are vague, but the emotional pressure is high
This is a sophisticated form of targeted fraud, sometimes called spear phishing, where criminals rely on emotional shock to prompt quick action.
Why it’s so effective
Voice feels personal. Hearing someone you care about in apparent trouble can short-circuit even the most sensible instincts.
As researchers quoted by The Guardian explain, criminals are betting that fear and urgency will take over. Pushing people to act first and question later.
Even the phone number appearing to be genuine offers no protection, as numbers can be spoofed.
What to do if you receive a message like this
- Pause — scammers rely on panic
- Call the person directly using a number you already have
- Do not send money until you’ve verified the situation
- Be cautious even if the voice sounds right — AI can be very convincing
A useful preventative step is to agree a family codeword in advance. Something that would only be used in a genuine emergency.
Final thoughts
Fraud tactics are evolving quickly, and nobody should feel embarrassed about being caught off guard. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
If you’re concerned about scams, financial security, or protecting yourself and your family, we’re always happy to talk things through.
Source: ‘Help! I need money. It’s an emergency’: your child’s voicemail that could be a scam
