Grandparent Scam Using AI Voice Cloning — Canadian Warning
A phone call from someone who sounds exactly like your grandchild says they have been arrested or injured and needs you to send money immediately. A 'lawyer' then gets on the line with wire transfer instructions. In Canada, the grandparent scam has been supercharged by AI voice cloning, and seniors are the primary targets. Always hang up and call your grandchild directly.
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How This Scam Works
Critical Risk — AI Voice Cloning Makes Grandparent Scams More Convincing
AI can clone a voice from a few seconds of audio. If someone calls sounding exactly like your grandchild and asks for money, hang up and call your grandchild directly.
Note: This scam typically arrives via phone call, not email. If you received a suspicious email, forward it to check@scam.support for a free risk assessment. For phone scams, report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — see all reporting agencies.
A phone call from someone who sounds exactly like your grandchild says they have been arrested, injured, or are in some kind of emergency and need money immediately. A "lawyer" then gets on the line with wire transfer instructions or asks for payment by gift card. The caller tells you not to contact other family members because it is "embarrassing" or "confidential."
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the grandparent scam (also known as the emergency scam) has been one of the most financially devastating fraud types targeting Canadian seniors. AI voice cloning technology has made these calls significantly more convincing, as scammers can replicate a grandchild's voice from social media clips. In 2023, Canadians reported over $569 million in total fraud losses, with seniors being disproportionately targeted.
Red Flags
- Caller sounds exactly like your grandchild but calls from an unknown number
- They are in distress — arrested, injured, or stranded
- A 'lawyer' takes over demanding immediate payment
- They demand wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- They insist you tell no one else in the family
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Hang up immediately
- Call your grandchild on their known phone number
- Establish a family code word for emergencies
- Never send money based on an unverified phone call
- Report the call to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Sources
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) — Grandparent/emergency scam as top fraud targeting seniors
- CAFC Annual Statistical Reports — Total fraud losses