India's telecom department warns that scammers use AI to copy a relative's voice and fake an emergency call. A familiar voice no longer proves who is calling.
India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is warning that scammers are using artificial intelligence to copy the voice of a family member or friend. They then call with a fake emergency and press you to send money right away. The voice may sound exactly like someone you love.
The caller sounds panicked and says something like, "I am in trouble, send money immediately." The story is often a road accident, a police case or a hospital stay. The DoT says the scammers count on fear and urgency, so people pay before they check the facts.
The scammers do not need to hack anyone. They can take voice samples from social media reels, public videos or random recordings. They can also misuse leaked private voice notes. AI tools then turn those clips into a voice that sounds like the real person on a phone call.
Anyone with a phone can get this call. The DoT specifically says children, senior citizens and easily frightened family members need to be told about it. People who post their voice online or send money through UPI, India's mobile payment system, should be extra careful.
The alert box above lists the steps. The main point is that recognizing a voice can no longer confirm who is calling. Pause, then check with the real person using the number saved in your phone. If that number is busy, wait. Families can also agree on a secret code word ahead of time.
Do not share your OTP, UPI PIN, bank details, card information or internet banking passwords on a call. That applies even if the caller sounds like your parent or best friend.
You can report a suspicious call or message on the Chakshu section of the Sanchar Saathi portal. If money has already left your account, call the 1930 cyber fraud helpline at once and file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The police can track the money and block the transfer faster when the report comes early.
The warning does not say how many people have been targeted or how much money has been lost. It also does not describe any new rules or tools to stop the calls.
If a panicked call asks for money, hang up and call the person back on their saved number before you send anything.
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