Stay safe › Scams
Cloned voice of a family member
"Mummy, I've had an accident, send money now!" AI can copy a voice from a short clip. Hang up and call back.
How it works
Scammers take a short clip of someone’s voice from a reel, a YouTube video or a forwarded voice note. An AI tool turns it into a voice that can say anything. Then they call a parent or grandparent: crying, panicked, asking for money right now for a hospital, a police case or an accident. The fear is the weapon.
How common it is
In a 2023 McAfee survey, about 47% of Indian adults said they had experienced an AI voice scam or knew someone who had, nearly double the global average. Of the Indian victims, 83% said they lost money.
If it has already happened
- Hang up, and call the person back on the number you already have saved.
- Ask the family code word, or a question only they would know.
- If you already sent money, call 1930 at once.
Protect yourself
- Agree on a family code word for real emergencies, and keep it offline.
- Make social media accounts private so fewer clips of your voice are public.
- Teach grandparents: a crying voice asking for money is a reason to call back, not to pay.
Say it simply
If someone calls pretending to be Mummy or Papa and sounds strange, hang up and tell a grown-up.
Pick a secret family word today. Anyone who calls in an "emergency" must say it.
Even if it sounds exactly like your grandchild, hang up and call them back on their usual number.
Live through it safely. ""Mummy, help!""Play the story →
Where to report
- Cybercrime helpline 1930Money has been taken or a payment was tricked out of you. Call at once: the sooner, the better the chance of freezing it.Call 1930
- National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalFile a complaint about any cyber fraud, harassment, sextortion or morphed images.cybercrime.gov.in
- Chakshu, on Sanchar SaathiReport a suspected fraud call, SMS or WhatsApp message, even if you lost nothing.sancharsaathi.gov.in
Learn more
Spotting deepfakes and AI scams
How fake videos, cloned voices and AI-written messages are used to fool people, and simple ways to protect yourself and your family.
Cyber Squad: safety habits for the whole family
How one person's weak habit puts everyone at risk, and simple safety habits families and neighbours can share.