Bangkok: A warning has been issued by Deputy Government Spokesperson regarding a new form of fraud that exploits artificial intelligence (AI) technology to alter the voices of individuals' relatives, tricking them into transferring money.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, highlighted the increasing role of digital technology in everyday life and business sectors, which has inadvertently led to new challenges such as cybercrime. Thais have been victims of various fraudulent schemes, including email scams, sales scams, romance scams, hybrid scams, and phone scams. With the rise of AI, fraudsters have devised a new tactic by using AI to mimic the voices of people close to the victim, such as children, relatives, or supervisors. They contact victims from unfamiliar numbers, fabricate urgent situations, and convince them to transfer money.
Mr. Anukul explained that fraudsters often create scenarios involving accidents, lawsuits, or illnesses, using the voice of someone familiar to the victim to solicit immediate financial assistance. Phrases like 'I don't have time to explain, please transfer the money quickly' or 'Don't tell anyone, you can trust them' are used to hasten the victim's decision-making process. The use of AI to replicate a familiar voice makes it challenging for victims to recognize the deception. To combat this, the government advises the public to take preventive steps: verify before transferring money, contact the person directly using known numbers, look for unusual speech patterns or tones, and verify the recipient's account name to ensure it belongs to an acquaintance.
Mr. Anukul urged the public to remain vigilant against online crimes, advising them not to easily trust unfamiliar contacts. Before making any financial transactions, individuals should thoroughly verify information to avoid falling prey to fraudsters. Those who suspect they are victims of fraud or witness online crimes can report incidents via the website www.thaipoliceonline.go.th or by contacting the Cyber Police hotline at 1441, available 24 hours a day.