AI Voice Clone Scams: When the Voice on the Phone Isn't Who You Think

A new and deeply unsettling scam is spreading across Canada. Criminals record just a few seconds of someone's voice — from a social media video, a voicemail greeting, or even a YouTube clip — and use artificial intelligence to clone it. The result is a convincing fake voice they can use to make phone calls.

How the scam works

You receive a call that sounds exactly like your grandchild, your son, or your daughter. They say they are in trouble — arrested, in a car accident, in hospital in another city. They beg you not to tell anyone and to send money urgently by gift card or wire transfer. The voice sounds real because it is — in a sense. It is an AI clone of their actual voice.

• The scammer says: "Grandma, it's me, don't tell Mom." — this is designed to isolate you from support.
• They urgently need money — always gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• They tell you it must be kept secret from the rest of the family.

What to do if this happens to you

• Hang up, even if the voice sounds completely real.
• Call your family member directly on their real, known phone number.
• If they answer, you will know the first call was a scam.
• Do not send money until you have confirmed with the real person directly.