AI Voice Clone of Ari Melber Used in Romance Scam Against Elderly Woman
A scammer used a fake Facebook profile and AI-generated voice cloning to impersonate MSNBC host Ari Melber in a romance scam that defrauded a 73-year-old Washington woman of at least $20,000. Police are investigating the case after the victim boarded a plane to meet the scammer before her family intervened.
What happened
A scammer created a fake Facebook profile impersonating MSNBC host Ari Melber and contacted 73-year-old Patricia Taylor, a fan of the network. Over four months, the scammer convinced Taylor he loved her and they would marry, requesting at least $20,000 under various pretexts including treating a sick dog named Penny.
When Taylor grew suspicious, the scammer sent an AI-generated voice message replicating Melber's voice saying 'You're reading my messages and not responding. I'd never (scam) you.' Taylor boarded a flight to New York to meet the scammer, but a relative intercepted her during a layover in Portland and brought her home.
Reported impact
Taylor lost at least $20,000 to the scam as of November 2024, with the possibility of additional losses. Her family expressed concern the scammer may have intended to kidnap her and demand ransom from the family.
Index analysis
AI-generated voice cloning technology was used to impersonate a real public figure and make the scam appear more credible to the victim. The use of the synthetic voice message coincided with when the victim became suspicious, suggesting the scammer employed it strategically to restore trust.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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