Cybercriminals used AI-based voice cloning to defraud a Water Resources Department employee, raising serious concerns about new tactics targeting ordinary citizens.
Officials confirmed that Srikant Behera, an employee in the MV-79 area, received a call from an unknown number around 6 pm on Friday. The caller introduced himself as the office accountant and began with a familiar “Happy New Year” greeting. The voice sounded so clear and convincing that Behera suspected nothing.
The fraudster claimed an urgent medical emergency and demanded Rs 95,000. He insisted that relatives had already sent money, but the UPI transfer had not gone through. Trusting the voice, Behera transferred Rs 50,000 immediately. Later, when asked for another Rs 45,000, he discovered that his UPI limit had expired. At that point, he began verifying the situation.
Investigations revealed that the WhatsApp screenshots sent by the fraudster were fake, and the call itself was generated using AI voice cloning technology. After the exposure, the fraudster stopped answering calls.
Behera later warned the public not to trust phone calls or voices blindly. He advised verifying emergencies by calling saved numbers directly, avoiding reliance on WhatsApp screenshots, and checking bank details before making transactions.
He urged people, especially the elderly, to stay alert and avoid falling prey to such scams. The incident has sparked widespread concern in the region, highlighting the growing threat of AI-driven cybercrime.
