In short:
Victoria Police is warning about an AI voice cloning scam targeting the Mandarin-speaking community and impersonating doctors and trusted professionals. Two victims have lost a combined $90,000, with police receiving 10 reports since early September.
Targeting Mandarin Speakers
Victorians are being warned about a scam using artificial intelligence voice cloning to impersonate doctors and trusted professionals, with two victims losing a combined $90,000.
Victoria Police says the scam is operating across the state and is predominantly targeting Mandarin-speaking people of Chinese background.
Police first received reports in early September and have since recorded 10 cases.
Gift Cards Used For Scam
Scammers pose as doctors, GPs or surgeons and may use a victim’s name or mimic the voice of somebody they know to make the call appear legitimate.
Victims are then pressured into purchasing gift cards and sending the codes to the caller.
In one case, a scammer mimicked the voice of a professional known to the victim and claimed the gift cards were needed as business gifts.
The victim purchased $50,000 worth over three days before becoming suspicious and contacting the professional through their verified phone number.
Victim Loses $40,000
In another case, a scammer posed as a medical professional and exploited a victim’s urgent health concerns.
The victim was instructed to buy gift cards, scratch off the PIN codes and send photographs of them to the scammer.
Police said the victim was repeatedly pressured to purchase more cards until their available cash was depleted, resulting in a $40,000 loss.
Cybercrime Squad Detective Acting Inspector Eleanor Vallas said artificial intelligence was being used in the scam.
“Fraudsters are using artificial intelligence to phone victims and pretend they’re doctors, general practitioners or surgeons.”
Police Urge Caution
Police are urging people who receive unexpected calls requesting gift cards or financial information to end the call and independently contact the person or organisation through a verified phone number.
“If you are contacted by anyone claiming to be a doctor, general practitioner or surgeon that instructs you to purchase gift cards, do not comply with their demands,” Detective Acting Inspector Vallas said.
Victims are also encouraged to retain phone records, messages and screenshots and report the scam to police.
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