AI-powered robocalls used to defraud Romanians of bank details
Scammers are using AI-powered robocalls with artificial voices to contact thousands of Romanians and trick them into sharing personal data via WhatsApp, reportedly targeting elderly people with various fraud schemes including fake investments and cryptocurrency scams.
What happened
Scammers are using AI-powered robocalls with artificial voices to contact thousands of Romanians daily. The calls originate from different phone numbers each day and use synthetic voices that some people confuse with relatives or acquaintances.
After victims save the scammer's number in their phone, they are contacted via WhatsApp and asked for personal data. Scammers sometimes impersonate bank employees.
Reported impact
Elderly people are reported as particular targets. Victims are at risk of having their bank accounts emptied through various fraud schemes, including fake investment opportunities, cryptocurrency scams, and false job offers.
Index analysis
The scammers obtain phone number databases from social networks, online commerce platforms, and other sources. The phone numbers used are artificially generated and change frequently, making blocking ineffective.
Governance controls
Mobile operators have worked with security specialists to block thousands of phone numbers, though this approach has limited effectiveness given the frequency with which numbers are regenerated and changed.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.