Oregon Family Loses $2,500 After AI Scammers Fake Their Daughter’s Voice and Threaten to Kill Her

Scammers using AI technology, who managed to coerce $2,500 from a Hillsboro family, are using fear and a sense of urgency to stop people from thinking clearly during stressful situations, according to detectives from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).

An Audio Sounded Like Their Daughter Whimpering

Their remarks followed a report by a local television station about the family who paid the scammers after they were played an audio of what sounded like their daughter whimpering.

Both the mother and father were contacted by the scammers.

The mother was told her daughter had been involved in an accident and that she had witnessed something she should not have seen.

Before she could warn her husband, he was contacted and told his daughter was being held captive after witnessing a drug deal.

The Scammers Threatened to Kill the Daughter

The scammers allegedly threatened to kill her unless he wired them a ransom demand. Her husband immediately paid over $2,500.

WCSO acknowledged the existence of scammers employing AI and creating panic to force people into making quick decisions.

Detectives urge parents to discourage their children from posting audio clips on social media and to remind them never to share personal information or answer calls from unfamiliar numbers.

WCSO suggests that residents make their social media accounts as private as possible and establish safe words as a code known only to family members.

Residents are also asked to contact law enforcement if they receive calls that they suspect are from scammers.