AI voice cloning used to convince Lehi parent their child was kidnapped

SALT LAKE CITY — Police are warning about AI voice cloning after scammers called a Lehi parent recently and used their child’s screaming voice to convince them of a kidnapping.

Lehi Police posted on Facebook that on Feb. 13, a parent got a phone call from someone who claimed to have kidnapped their child. The parent heard screaming in the background that sounded like their kid.

 

The suspect demanded money in exchange for the child’s safe return. Luckily, the parent went to the school and found that their child was still there. They had not been kidnapped — it was just AI.

FBI Special Agent Curtis Cox told KSL they are seeing more and more crimes like this involving AI.

“Using children’s voices (or) pictures that appear to represent one’s child is a scare tactic that these bad actors know is likely to induce a reaction from parents or other loved ones,” Cox explained.

Cox said most criminals can steal someone’s likeness from social media.

“Anything obviously that is posted online is going to be something they can use and manipulate and alter,” he said.

Lehi Police posted that it is important to review your privacy settings because you could be sharing photos and videos criminals can utilize.

Kidnapping scams are not the only things AI is being used for, though. Cox said the FBI is now seeing AI integrated into every type of crime they investigate. He recommends that if parents were to get a similar phone call, it is important to take a breath before taking action.

“[Slow] down, taking stock of the situation,” Cox said. “[Ask] questions of the person contacting them, of loved ones, of law enforcement and others, and [don’t make] decisions based on that fear they’re trying to instill.”

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