Deepfake Voice Scam Dupes Roorkee Farmer of Rs 6 Lakh in Elaborate Cyber Fraud
In a shocking incident highlighting the growing sophistication of cybercrime, a farmer from Roorkee was defrauded of Rs 6 lakh by scammers using a deepfake voice call that convincingly mimicked his son's voice. The fraudsters created a fabricated narrative of a serious criminal case to panic the victim into transferring money.
The Deceptive Call and Fabricated Crisis
Yogesh Saini, a resident of Gummawala village near Piran Kaliyar in Roorkee, received a distressing voice call from an unknown number while traveling to a hospital in Dehradun with his brother-in-law. The caller alleged that Saini's son, Prateek, along with a friend, had been involved in the gang-rape and murder of a girl. To add credibility to their story, the fraudsters claimed the victim's father was a prominent high court lawyer, intensifying the perceived legal threat.
The scammers then played an audio clip that closely resembled Prateek's voice, in which he was heard pleading for urgent help. This deepfake audio was crafted with alarming realism, designed to trigger immediate panic and override rational judgment.
Financial Exploitation Under Digital Duress
Panicked and fearing for his son's safety, Saini complied with the fraudsters' demands. He transferred money through multiple online transactions to bank accounts and QR codes provided by the scammers. In his desperation, he also borrowed additional funds from relatives, culminating in a total loss of Rs 6 lakh.
The fraudsters allegedly kept Saini under what authorities describe as "digital arrest" for over two hours, during which they warned him not to contact his son directly. They falsely claimed that Prateek's phone was under surveillance, effectively isolating Saini from verifying the situation through normal channels.
Discovery of the Deception and Police Action
Suspicion finally arose when Saini later spoke to other family members and learned that Prateek was actually at home and had only stepped out briefly for a routine errand. Realising he had been duped by a sophisticated deepfake voice scam, Saini immediately approached the police to report the crime.
A formal case was registered under Section 318(4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on Sunday evening. An investigation is currently underway to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds. Ravindra Kumar, in-charge of Piran Kaliyar police station, emphasized the need for public vigilance in the face of such evolving cyber threats.
Official Warning and Preventive Advice
"We appeal to people not to respond immediately to calls or messages from unknown numbers," stated Ravindra Kumar. "Otherwise, they may also fall prey to cyber scammers who are employing increasingly advanced techniques like deepfake audio to exploit emotions and bypass security awareness."
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence-enabled fraud. Authorities recommend verifying any emergency claims through direct, trusted communication channels before taking financial or personal action, and reporting suspicious calls to cybercrime units promptly.
