A woman in Mumbai became a victim of a scam involving artificial intelligence-generated voices, orchestrated by her neighbour. Rashmi Kar, working at a Navi Mumbai call center, cheated her neighbour out of almost Rs 7 lakh with the help of her husband, who is currently on the run. This intricate scam sheds light on the increasing use of AI in fraudulent activities and the importance of identity verification.
How the Scam Occurred
The victim, a 34-year-old widow, was seeking better job opportunities when she confided in Rashmi Kar. Seven months ago, Kar introduced her to a supposed colleague, Abhimanyu Mehra, claiming he could help her secure a better job. The victim and Mehra began chatting over the phone, eventually developing a romantic relationship, even though they never met in person.
As their relationship progressed, the woman transferred Rs 6.6 lakh to Mehra. Whenever she tried to arrange a face-to-face meeting, he would change the topic. Mehra even sent her a blanket, suggesting she use it while sleeping to feel close to him. This elaborate deception eventually raised the woman's suspicions, prompting her to approach the police.
The Police Investigation
During the investigation, Rashmi Kar confessed to using an AI-generated male voice to communicate with the victim. She revealed that she had downloaded a voice-changing app and was using a specially obtained number for this purpose. The police discovered that Kar's husband, Dipanjal Biswas, was aware of her impersonation and encouraged her actions.
What are AI Voice Scams?
AI voice scams exploit artificial intelligence to replicate human-like voices. Scammers often impersonate family members, friends, or customer service representatives. To protect oneself from such scams, it is essential to look for irregularities in the voice and request a video call for identity confirmation.
Staying Safe
In this era of advanced technology, it's crucial to remain vigilant. Verify identities through video calls and be cautious of any suspicious behavior. Awareness and caution can help prevent falling prey to such deceptive schemes.
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