Moscow Police warn against using specific words to prevent AI voice cloning

Moscow police have issued a warning regarding specific words that scammers may exploit to facilitate fraud. According to the Moscow Police Directorate, individuals should exercise caution when speaking to unknown callers, particularly regarding the words “yes”, “I confirm”, and “I agree”.

Authorities explain that these recordings can be used in two primary ways. Scammers may use a clipped “yes” to create a fake recording implying consent, or more sophisticated actors may use the audio as a sample to clone a victim's voice using artificial intelligence. While a single word is often insufficient for high-quality AI voice cloning, longer recordings from phone calls or public videos can provide enough data for convincing impersonations.

Financial experts note that a single recorded word is generally not enough to authorize bank transactions, as most institutions require multi-factor authentication such as SMS codes or biometric data. However, the greater risk remains vishing, where scammers impersonate officials to steal login credentials or use cloned voices to trick family members into sending money during perceived emergencies.