Police have issued a warning after scammers used artificial intelligence to clone a child’s voice in a fake kidnapping call to a parent.
According to the Lehi Police Department, the incident occurred on February 13 when a parent received a phone call from someone claiming to have kidnapped their child. During the call, the parent reportedly heard screaming in the background that sounded like their child.
The caller demanded money in exchange for the child’s safe return.
AI used as fear tactic
The parent immediately went to the school and confirmed the child was safe. Authorities later determined that the voice in the call had been generated using AI technology.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Curtis Cox told local media that crimes involving AI are becoming increasingly common.
“Using children’s voices or pictures that appear to represent one’s child is a scare tactic that these bad actors know is likely to induce a reaction from parents,” he said.
Cox explained that scammers often obtain voice samples or images from social media and manipulate them using AI tools.
Advice for parents
Police have urged families to review privacy settings on social media platforms and limit the public sharing of children’s photos and videos.
Authorities also advise parents to remain calm if they receive such a call, verify the child’s location immediately and contact law enforcement before making any payments.
Experts warn that AI is now being integrated into multiple forms of cybercrime, making vigilance and digital awareness increasingly important for families.