Greece police warn of AI-powered phone scams using cloned voices

The Hellenic Police (ELAS) said that hearing a familiar voice on the phone can no longer be considered sufficient proof of a caller’s identity. Authorities urged citizens not to disclose personal or financial information, to immediately end suspicious calls and never allow strangers into their homes based solely on instructions given over the phone.

How the AI voice scam works
According to the scenario outlined by Greek police, the scam can be carried out in several stages.

In the first stage, a victim may receive a call from someone claiming to represent a telecommunications company or another service provider. During the conversation, criminals may potentially obtain a sample of the person’s voice.

In the second stage, the scammers contact a relative who is at home. They may introduce themselves as employees or technicians from an electricity distribution company and claim that there is an electrical fault or dangerous leakage at the property.

The suspects then ask to enter the home to carry out a supposed technical inspection.

A familiar voice is used in the background
The most notable part of the scheme is the use of a familiar-sounding voice during the call.

Police believe scammers may use AI-generated or manipulated audio resembling the voice of the victim’s relative in the background of the conversation. This can create a false sense of trust and encourage the victim to follow the scammers’ instructions.

As a result, victims may believe that they are hearing a genuine family member and allow unknown individuals into their homes or comply with other fraudulent requests.

Greek police said that only a limited number of such incidents have been recorded so far, but stressed that recognizing the technique early is particularly important for protecting older people and children.

A familiar voice is no longer enough
Police advised citizens to adopt additional verification measures when receiving suspicious calls.

A familiar voice does not necessarily prove that the person on the other end of the line is genuine. If a call appears suspicious, citizens should hang up and contact the relative directly using a phone number they already know.

Families are also encouraged to establish a private security question, piece of information or predetermined code word that only family members would know.

How to protect yourself from AI voice scams
Greek police recommend that citizens:

• Immediately end suspicious phone calls.
• Never share personal, banking or financial information over the phone.
• Avoid revealing who lives in the home or when the property is unoccupied.
• Do not rely solely on a familiar voice to verify a caller’s identity.
• Use a pre-agreed family security question or code word.
• Hang up and call the relative directly to verify an emergency.
• Never allow strangers into the home based solely on instructions given over the phone.
• Never leave money, gold, jewelry or other valuables at a location specified by a caller.
• Independently contact the relevant company using its official phone number to verify any scheduled technical visit.
• Inform relatives and friends if they receive a suspicious call.

Police warn against requests for money or valuables
Greek police stressed that legitimate technical inspections should not involve requests for citizens to hand over money, jewelry or other valuables.

Citizens are encouraged to notify police immediately if they receive a suspicious call or if unknown individuals arrive at their home, even if no money or property has been stolen.

Authorities also recommend preserving the phone number from which the suspicious call originated, along with any other available information that could assist an investigation.

Special warning for older people and children
Police urged families to explain AI-powered voice imitation scams to older relatives and children.

As AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, criminals may attempt to build trust not only by using fake identities or pretending to represent legitimate organizations, but also by imitating the voice of someone the victim knows.

The key message from authorities is simple: no matter how familiar a voice sounds, verify the caller through a second method before sending money, sharing personal information or allowing anyone into your home.