A Norfolk County resident is out $9,150 after they were contacted by someone pretending to be a relative in need bail money.
OPP say the resident contacted them on Monday after they were swindled out of thousands of dollars in what authorities suspect was an elaborate hoax using artificial intelligence (AI) to modify their voice.
The resident was initially contacted by someone posing as a desperate family member who needed bail money in order to be released from jail following a crash.
During the exchange, the victim was told to bring the money to a bail bondsman in order to free their family member.
While a common practice in the United States, operating as a bail bondsman in Canada is illegal.
After handing the money over, the victim phoned the relative and learned they hadn’t been in a collision. Realizing the gravity of their mistake, they then reached out to the police.
Officers believe the scammer may have used AI to change their voice and make the call seem more authentic.
The department is urging the public to heed caution, remain vigilant and report any similar instances to police, immediately.
“If you encounter a fraudulent call, text, or email, or if you’ve fallen victim to fraud, report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre,” police say.
They can be reached by phone at 1-888-495-8501 or by visiting their website, here.
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