An Indore-based school teacher has reportedly fallen victim to an AI-enabled cyber fraud, losing Rs 1 lakh after scammers allegedly used artificial intelligence to mimic the voice of her close relative. The incident has drawn attention to the growing misuse of AI technology in financial scams and is believed to be among the first such cases reported in the city.
According to police sources, the victim, identified as Smita, received an urgent phone call that appeared to be from her cousin. The caller claimed that a friend had suffered a sudden heart attack and that immediate financial help was required for medical expenses. The voice sounded familiar and convincing, leading the teacher to believe that the situation was genuine.
Under pressure and acting out of concern, Smita transferred Rs 1 lakh to the bank account details shared during the call. It was only later, when she contacted her cousin directly, that she realised no such emergency had occurred. By then, the money had already been transferred, and the caller was no longer reachable.
Cybercrime officials believe the fraudsters used AI-based voice cloning technology to replicate the cousin’s voice using audio samples, possibly sourced from phone calls or social media content. Such technology can generate realistic voice replicas, making it increasingly difficult for victims to distinguish between genuine and fake calls.
Following the incident, Smita approached the local police and filed a formal complaint. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code. Investigators are now working to trace the bank accounts and digital trails used in the transaction.
Cybercrime experts warn that AI-powered scams are on the rise across India, with fraudsters adopting sophisticated methods such as voice cloning, deepfake videos, and fake emergency calls to exploit trust and emotional vulnerability. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and verify urgent requests for money, even if they appear to come from known contacts.
Police have advised citizens to pause and independently confirm such requests through alternative communication channels, such as video calls or direct contact with other family members. Banks and digital payment platforms have also been asked to strengthen monitoring systems to detect suspicious transactions.
The incident serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of cyber fraud and the need for increased awareness. Officials have encouraged victims to report such cases promptly, as timely reporting can improve the chances of recovery and help prevent similar crimes.
