📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Texttospeechonline
Technology
Criminals in India weaponise AI: voice cloning, deepfakes and other scams
✍️ Moneycontrol.com
🗓 09 Oct 2026, 09:47 AM
👁 15
Experts say Indian fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create cloned voices, deep‑fake videos and other synthetic content, expanding the toolkit for financial and reputational scams.
Indian law‑enforcement and cybersecurity analysts have observed a sharp rise in the use of generative AI by criminal networks. Tools that can mimic human speech, generate realistic video footage and produce convincing text are being repurposed for fraud, identity theft and reputation attacks.
The most common AI‑enabled tactics identified include: (1) voice‑cloning software to impersonate bank officials or relatives and extract money; (2) deep‑fake videos that fabricate statements by public figures, often to spread misinformation or extort; (3) AI‑generated phishing emails and messages that are personalized at scale, increasing success rates; (4) synthetic identity creation using AI‑crafted documents for opening bank accounts or obtaining loans; and (5) automated chat‑bots powered by large language models that engage victims in real‑time scams.
Security experts warn that the low cost and ease of access to these tools make them attractive to both seasoned fraudsters and opportunistic individuals. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT‑IN) has issued advisories urging citizens to verify callers, scrutinise unsolicited video content and report suspicious AI‑driven activities.
While regulators are drafting guidelines for AI transparency, the immediate challenge remains public awareness. Authorities recommend using multi‑factor authentication, confirming identities through independent channels and staying skeptical of unusually polished audio or video messages that seem out of context.
The most common AI‑enabled tactics identified include: (1) voice‑cloning software to impersonate bank officials or relatives and extract money; (2) deep‑fake videos that fabricate statements by public figures, often to spread misinformation or extort; (3) AI‑generated phishing emails and messages that are personalized at scale, increasing success rates; (4) synthetic identity creation using AI‑crafted documents for opening bank accounts or obtaining loans; and (5) automated chat‑bots powered by large language models that engage victims in real‑time scams.
Security experts warn that the low cost and ease of access to these tools make them attractive to both seasoned fraudsters and opportunistic individuals. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT‑IN) has issued advisories urging citizens to verify callers, scrutinise unsolicited video content and report suspicious AI‑driven activities.
While regulators are drafting guidelines for AI transparency, the immediate challenge remains public awareness. Authorities recommend using multi‑factor authentication, confirming identities through independent channels and staying skeptical of unusually polished audio or video messages that seem out of context.