Cyber Crime
Delhi’s Elderly Resident Duped of Rs 50,000 in Voice Cloning Fraud
NEW DELHI: An elderly man in Delhi’s Yamuna Vihar has been duped out of Rs. 50,000 by cybercriminals by misusing advanced voice cloning technology. The victim, Lakshmi Chand Chawla, received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number on October 24, claiming that his cousin’s son had been kidnapped. To add to the horror, the message included a recording of the child’s voice, eerily created using AI, pleading for help.
Panicked and convinced of the threat, Chawla readily complied with the scammers’ demands, transferring the hefty sum of Rs. 50,000 via Paytm. However, the truth soon unravelled when he contacted the child’s parents, only to discover that their son was safe and sound at home.
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Cybercriminals are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced tools to craft sophisticated scams, including deepfake technology and voice cloning, resulting in a surge of fraudulent activities aimed at deceiving unsuspecting individuals. These technologies allow perpetrators to create remarkably realistic manipulated videos, audios, and images, often indistinguishable from genuine content.
Deepfake technology, powered by AI algorithms, is used to superimpose someone’s face onto another person’s body or create fabricated videos that can manipulate speeches or actions, making it appear as if a person said or did something they never actually did. Similarly, voice cloning technology enables cybercriminals to mimic voices with startling accuracy, creating audio recordings that impersonate individuals, tricking victims into believing they are communicating with someone they know and trust.
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Despite the advancements in cybercrime tactics utilizing AI, law enforcement agencies in India are grappling to keep pace with these technological advancements. The complexity of these AI-enabled crimes poses challenges in detection and prevention. The rapid evolution of these technologies makes it difficult for authorities to decode and counteract fraudulent activities effectively.
The Indian police and law enforcement agencies are striving to enhance their capabilities in understanding and combating AI-driven crimes. Efforts are being made to invest in training personnel with specialized skills in AI and digital forensics. Collaborations with technology experts, researchers, and industry professionals are being sought to develop tools and methodologies aimed at identifying and mitigating the risks posed by AI-based cybercrimes.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the community and highlighted the growing threat of cybercrime in the capital. According to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Delhi witnessed a staggering 685 cases of cybercrime in 2022, compared to 345 in 2021 and a mere 166 in 2020.
This alarming trend has spurred the Delhi Police to take proactive measures, launching awareness campaigns and unveiling the five most common cybercrime methods used to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
The five most common cybercrime methods in Delhi:
- Fake TRAI or FedEx courier company callers: These criminals impersonate employees from trusted organizations to lure victims into sharing personal information or clicking malicious links.
- Home job or Telegram fraud: This tactic involves enticing individuals with lucrative home-based job offers and then extracting money through various means.
- Sextortion: Cybercriminals engage in online conversations with unsuspecting victims, often posing as attractive individuals, and then threaten to leak explicit content unless they receive payment.
- Fake family member or friend in distress: This method involves posing as a relative or close friend in dire need of financial assistance, manipulating the victim’s emotions to extort money.
- OTP or link-based cheating: This technique involves sending fake messages containing one-time passwords (OTPs) or links that, once clicked, can steal personal information or financial data.
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The Delhi Police’s Cyber Crime Unit urges citizens to be vigilant and cautious while engaging in online activities. They advise individuals to never share personal information with strangers, verify any suspicious communication, and avoid clicking on unknown links. Additionally, reporting any instances of cybercrime immediately can significantly aid in apprehending the perpetrators and preventing further harm.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of cybercrime and the importance of remaining informed and vigilant. By adopting safe online practices and reporting suspicious activity, we can collectively combat this growing threat and ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones.