AI Impersonation Fraud: UK Parents Duped Out…

A surge of AI-driven scams is hitting WhatsApp, resulting in losses of nearly half a million pounds for families in the UK in just the first five months of 2025.

Cybercriminals are blending traditional tactics with cutting-edge technology in the latest “Hi Mum” scam. In this operation, fraudsters pose as a family member on WhatsApp, requesting urgent financial assistance.

The twist

They now employ AI-generated voice notes to imitate children’s voices, making the impersonation alarmingly realistic.

“Scammers are increasingly sophisticated in their manipulation tactics… cloning any voice is now easy, often achievable within moments,” states Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET.

By the numbers:

• 506 WhatsApp scams reported since January 2025
• Victims have lost £490,606 ($651,230)
• April alone saw 135 cases with £127,417 in losses

How it works:

1. You receive a WhatsApp message from an unfamiliar number: “Hi Mum, I lost my phone.”
2. They claim they cannot access their bank account.
3. They send a voice note that sounds just like your child.
4. They urgently request that you transfer money to a new account.

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