First off, let me say, my parents are elderly. This doesn’t mean it can’t happen to someone younger. However, our older demographic is vulnerable to scams and other entities looking to take advantage of people and their good will. We always here about the Nigerian prince emails or the lottery winner that never bought a a ticket or even phone calls. Now, somehow scammers are gaining access to our loved ones info and likeness to deceive us into believing they are in some type of distress. Let me start from where I found out about this scam then how my parents got involved.
So. the week before my parents answered the phone; I was listing to the ‘Kim Komando Show’ on my podcast list on Spotify. A person called into the show saying they had been scammed. I don’t remember the story exactly, but basically, someone pretended to be a woman’s daughter. The daughter was I think on a camping trip. So not near the mother. The mother received a call from, who she thought, was the daughter. In a panic, saying “hey mom, I’m sorry I messed up!”. Then someone else threatened to have their way with her and harm her. Then proceeded to ask for money in exchange for her. A Ransom. Of course they didn’t want them contacting the police. The mother was able to verify with the father that the daughter was indeed safe. When the mother contacted the police, they told her that this scam is actually not rare! The mother was convinced she heard her daughters voice and that she was in legitimate immediate danger! It turns out they possibly used an AI generated voice! It’s a blessing that everything turned out ok and no money was given to the scammers. I told my wife about the story because she is very protective and would easily panic over such a predicament. I did not realize, however, that scammers would use variations of this to go after my own parents, not even a week after hearing this story…
So, one day I’m at home and I call my dad. He tells me something interesting happened the day before. I thought that odd because he never says that. I asked him to explain what was odd. He proceeded to tell me that my nephew had called the day before to tell him he had went to Mexico and ended up in prison. Supposedly, he ended up there and he didn’t want his mother to know because he wasn’t supposed to be there. He wanted my parents to send two thousand dollars so he could get out of jail. Apparently my parents discussed it and even had another sibling wire the money. Then my nephew called back, thanked them and proceeded to ask for another thousand so he could get back home because he lost his money. After sending another time, they decided to contact the mother. My sister confirmed to them that my nephew was at home and never went to Mexico! At that time they knew they had been scammed. They explained that the scammers used my nephews nick name and even sounded like him! Just like the person on the podcast! I immediately drove to my parents house to explain the scam and how to avoid it in the future. They were relieved that my nephew was ok, but I’m upset someone would use another persons likeness an possibly AI generated voice to gain financially. My parents were not greedy trying to inherit some prince’s money or get the winning of an unknown lottery. This wasn’t a too good to be true scam. They were trying to help a family member out! If that’s not evil, I don’t know what is!
Hopefully, whoever is reading this doesn’t fall prey to such an evil scam like these. Here are some things I think can help in this ever evolving scammer world. First, is to recognize scammers thrive off of urgency. They need you to react without thinking. Timing is crucial for them to get you acting rather than using logical reasoning. If you get a call or email and it ends up asking for money, at that point realize this may be a scam. Even if it’s a charitable organization I’m familiar with. Which is next, don’t give money over the phone. Send me a request through the mail with a physical address. Even a bill collector or company, if they call me I will want to go to their website and pay. If not call back on a number you can verify is for that company. Even if someone threatened to cut my electricity off and it was turned off would be better than giving money to a company that calls me and find out I was scammed! Next, try to verify whatever someone is claiming they need money for. If it’s a bill, do I use that company. A collection agency, Is that agency legitimate with a google search, call them back on their number. If a loved one in distress financially, I need to verify why and if I’m helping or are they going to keep coming back because they have other issues. Finally the loved one in parrel like the forementioned. Get the authorities involved. It will seem like you can’t or worse will happen to them. However, if it’s a scenario like a real cartel in Mexico asking for a ransom; if you try to do it yourself, chances are they will keep the loved one and do something terrible to them so they don’t get caught. They will end up taking you too or just be a scam like the above. Strategy is key and it’s hard to do when your in fight or flight mode.
In conclusion, Just be aware of horrible peoples intention in this world. If you find yourself getting scammed by an individual, it’s just money and not the outcome that was potentially worse. However lets try to starve these scammers of oxygen so they die out ( I know it’s a dream). Contact the authorities to let them be aware of the situation and to help them to help others. We are not helpless, we just need to be informed and diligent about new scams. Stay safe and spread the awareness!
Average Joe Chronicles 