DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Scammers are using AI to bilk victims out of millions: Here’s how to protect yourself

May 24, 2025
in News, Tech
Scammers are using AI to bilk victims out of millions: Here’s how to protect yourself
495
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This is no way to keep up with grandma.

Cruel scammers are cheating elderly people out of millions of dollars with a new high tech scam that uses AI to find their grandchildren’s voices on TikTok and then use the sounds to make phony phone calls designed to trick the seniors, cops on Long Island warned Friday.

The scam involves criminals finding a vulnerable and elderly person with grandkids — then scouring social media sites like TikTok for videos of the young people speaking.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina (right) warned of a new AI scam Friday. Dennis A. Clark

They then use voice-cloning software and spoofed phone numbers to make panicked calls pretending to be that grandchild, claiming they’ve been arrested or hurt and urgently need bail money or medical funds.

“They’re always trying to stay a step ahead,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina told The Post on Friday.

Catalina confirmed the department has been seeing a growing number of these cases, and said the software criminals are using can perfectly emulate someone else’s voice — often fooling the area’s vulnerable and elderly population.

“It’s often times a grandchild scheme we’re seeing, where the individual will call and say that they are in some kind of trouble that requires money,” Catalina said.

Police said victims have been duped into forking over thousands of dollars in cash and wire transfers — thinking they’re rescuing a loved one when in fact they’re being scammed by a synthetic voice and a criminal on the other end of the line.

Catalina said the department has seen an uptick in these types of scams in recent months and warned the public to stay vigilant, especially when receiving emotional pleas involving money and secrecy.

He advised families to establish a “safe word” in case of emergencies, and to reach out to the person they are claiming to be after receiving the call to confirm directly before transferring any money.

As for the scammers, Catalina warned that the department is making these crimes a high priority given the large amount of cases.

elderly phone scam
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said as AI continues to progress, scams will get more sophisticated dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

“If we find the individuals who do this, who know exactly who they’re stealing from, we will prosecute you to the fullest — these crimes are a priority to us and we’re gonna make sure that we get to the bottom of this,” Catalina said.

In 2023, over 3,000 scams were reported on Long Island — resulting in over $126 million stolen from mostly senior citizens, according to the most recent data from AARP.

Nearly $74 million was stolen from Nassau, and almost $54 million was taken in Suffolk that year alone.

And Catalina warned it will only get worse as AI continues to progress.

“They’re getting more and more sophisticated, so everybody has to be very careful,” he said.

The post Scammers are using AI to bilk victims out of millions: Here’s how to protect yourself appeared first on New York Post.

Tags: Artificial intelligencenassau countyScamssuffolk countysuffolk county police
Share198Tweet124Share
Look out, Hollywood. Video game franchises dominate Gen Alpha’s attention
Arts

Look out, Hollywood. Video game franchises dominate Gen Alpha’s attention

by Los Angeles Times
August 29, 2025

Want to get Generation Alpha into movie theaters? Look to video games. Kids still like to go to the movies, ...

Read more
News

Luxury Southern California shopping mall loses a major tenant

August 29, 2025
News

‘Let justice prevail for August’: Injured Deshler student’s family asks for peace during search for answers

August 29, 2025
News

Western states seek to end long-running water dispute over dwindling Rio Grande

August 29, 2025
News

Trump’s global tariffs are illegal, federal court rules. Here’s why they’ll remain in place.

August 29, 2025
CVS Holds Off on Offering Covid Vaccines in 16 States

C.D.C. Uncertainty Upends Covid Vaccine Access at CVS and Walgreens

August 29, 2025
What’s on Peacock in September 2025? Full List of New Movies, Shows

What’s on Peacock in September 2025? Full List of New Movies, Shows

August 29, 2025
Trump’s Assault on the Federal Reserve

Trump’s Assault on the Federal Reserve

August 29, 2025

Copyright © 2025.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2025.