Voice cloning technology enables sophisticated deepfake scams

Advancements in voice cloning technology are enabling sophisticated deepfake scams. According to Phil Muncaster of ESET’s WeLiveSecurity, fraudsters only require a few seconds of audio to create a convincing imitation. This audio can be harvested from social media posts or professional content available online.

A report from Hiya indicates that one in four Americans reported receiving a call with a deepfake voice in the last 12 months, with an additional 24% stating they could not distinguish the fake from a real voice.

A common tactic involves ‘virtual kidnapping’ scams, where criminals use a cloned voice to contact a relative, claiming the loved one has been abducted to exert intense psychological pressure. Scammers often supplement these calls with personal details gathered from social media to increase the realism of the fraud.