Indonesia: Tens of Thousands Defrauded Using AI Voice and Video Cloning
Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) reported that tens of thousands of people have been defrauded using AI-generated voice cloning and deepfake video technology. Scammers impersonate trusted contacts to trick victims into sending money or revealing sensitive financial information.
What happened
Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) revealed a new fraud method in the financial services industry using voice cloning and deepfake technology. Scammers use AI to record and imitate the voices of people known to victims, such as friends, family members, or colleagues, then conduct conversations as if they are those trusted contacts.
The scammers also employ deepfake video technology to create convincing fake videos that impersonate the faces of trusted individuals. These methods allow perpetrators to deceive victims without meeting them in person and to request money or sensitive financial information.
Reported impact
Tens of thousands of people in Indonesia have been defrauded using these AI-driven voice and video scams. OJK warned that the modus operandi is increasingly easy to execute given the high use of social media, where people frequently upload content containing their voices.
Index analysis
OJK noted that the use of voice cloning is made easier by the widespread availability of voice recordings on social media platforms. The sophistication of AI technology allows scammers to process and manipulate voices to facilitate fraud against the public.
OJK advised the public to verify information when contacted by someone claiming to be a trusted contact requesting money transfers, and to be cautious of videos or audio that appear unusual.
Governance controls
OJK advised the public to verify information by directly contacting the person who allegedly called. The authority also recommended protecting personal data privacy, particularly information related to finance, and being alert to videos or voices that appear unusual.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.