A call comes at night or in the middle of the workday. It is your son's, daughter's or brother's voice, crying: “Mum, I've been in an accident, help me!” Then a “police investigator”, “doctor” or “the victim's relative” takes the phone: urgent money is needed to “settle things on the spot”.
Today artificial intelligence can copy a person's voice very convincingly from just a few seconds of a social-media video or a voice message. And in a panic, people don't notice small differences.
The scammer won't let you think or call your relative back: “don't hang up”, “don't tell anyone”, “there's no time”. The money is to be sent to a card or handed in cash to a “courier” who comes to your home.
How to protect yourself
- Hang up and call your relative yourself on the number you know. No answer? Call other family members.
- Agree on a family “safe word” that only you know, and ask for it in calls like this.
- No police officer or investigator offers to “settle the matter with money”.
- Never hand cash to an unknown “courier”.
- Report the call to the police (102) and warn older relatives about this scheme.
Came across scammers?
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