Here’s how scammers exploit technology to target Australian families
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When Nina Merrilees, a mother of two, received a text from her daughter living overseas, she didn't think twice about it. Her daughter, who had been living abroad for nearly seven years, often communicated with her via the social messaging platform WhatsApp.
So, when she received a message asking for financial help due to a broken phone, it seemed like a typical request.
Little did she know, this seemingly innocent text was the beginning of a nightmare that would cost her over $11,000.
This is the chilling reality of the 'Hi Mum' scam, a cunning tactic used by cybercriminals to specifically trick unsuspecting parents into parting with their hard-earned savings.
This scam has swindled Australians out of tens of millions of dollars in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
In Ms Merrilees' case, the scammers impersonated her New Zealand-based daughter via text messages.
Her daughter had changed her phone number several times while living overseas, so the unfamiliar number didn't raise any red flags.
The messages were casual and used the same language and emojis that her daughter typically used. It was a well-crafted illusion that seemed perfectly ordinary until it was too late.
‘The message flashed up, “Hi mum, I’ve broken my phone.” I thought, “Oh, that’s not unusual”,’ she recalled.
Merrilees had sent thousands of dollars via Osko payments to the scammer before she realised the truth.
'I just felt absolutely sick when I finally realised it was a scam,' she said. 'You just think we worked so hard for this, and then these thieves just steal your money, and there seems to be no repercussion.'
You can read more about Ms Merrilees’ case here.
The 'Hi Mum' scam has seen a surge in popularity across 2022 and 2023, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
But now, cybersecurity experts warn of an even more sophisticated approach: AI voice impersonation.
Leon Poggioli, Claroty Cybersecurity ANZ Regional Director, explained, 'They'll call a loved one, they'll pretend to be that person, and they'll say, “I'm stranded in Thailand”, for example, “I've lost my wallet.”’
The technology is so advanced that it's nearly impossible to distinguish between a genuine call and an AI-generated voice.
‘Be aware of the risk because the AI, you can’t tell now whether it’s genuine or not, the technology is too good,’ Mr Poggioli warned.
These scams can be created with as little as three seconds of audio taken from a social media profile, voicemail, or video on a website, warned Laura Hartley, National Australia Bank (NAB) Manager of Advisory Awareness.
‘While we haven’t had any reports of our customers being impacted by AI voice scams to date, we know they are happening in the UK and US, in particular, and anticipate it’s just a matter of time before these scams head down under,’ she mentioned last month.
Ms Hartley continued, ‘They just keep reinventing how they do these scams. They’re continually 10 steps ahead of everyone.’
In addition, Mr Poggioli advised social media users to be cautious about posting voice samples and suggested that families use a secret security word if money is requested.
'It's a way for you to verify who that person is,' he said.
The SDC has reported multiple instances of the 'Hi Mum' scam. You can read more here:
Remember, scammers are always evolving their tactics, so it's crucial to stay informed about the latest scams and how to protect yourself.
If you believe you've been scammed, contact your bank immediately to report the scam and cancel any transactions.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a similar scam? Share your experiences and tips for staying safe in the comments below.
So, when she received a message asking for financial help due to a broken phone, it seemed like a typical request.
Little did she know, this seemingly innocent text was the beginning of a nightmare that would cost her over $11,000.
This is the chilling reality of the 'Hi Mum' scam, a cunning tactic used by cybercriminals to specifically trick unsuspecting parents into parting with their hard-earned savings.
This scam has swindled Australians out of tens of millions of dollars in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Nina Merrilees received a message from cybercriminals who pretended to be her daughter. Source: Brett Jordan/Unsplash
In Ms Merrilees' case, the scammers impersonated her New Zealand-based daughter via text messages.
Her daughter had changed her phone number several times while living overseas, so the unfamiliar number didn't raise any red flags.
The messages were casual and used the same language and emojis that her daughter typically used. It was a well-crafted illusion that seemed perfectly ordinary until it was too late.
‘The message flashed up, “Hi mum, I’ve broken my phone.” I thought, “Oh, that’s not unusual”,’ she recalled.
Merrilees had sent thousands of dollars via Osko payments to the scammer before she realised the truth.
'I just felt absolutely sick when I finally realised it was a scam,' she said. 'You just think we worked so hard for this, and then these thieves just steal your money, and there seems to be no repercussion.'
You can read more about Ms Merrilees’ case here.
The 'Hi Mum' scam has seen a surge in popularity across 2022 and 2023, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
But now, cybersecurity experts warn of an even more sophisticated approach: AI voice impersonation.
Leon Poggioli, Claroty Cybersecurity ANZ Regional Director, explained, 'They'll call a loved one, they'll pretend to be that person, and they'll say, “I'm stranded in Thailand”, for example, “I've lost my wallet.”’
The technology is so advanced that it's nearly impossible to distinguish between a genuine call and an AI-generated voice.
‘Be aware of the risk because the AI, you can’t tell now whether it’s genuine or not, the technology is too good,’ Mr Poggioli warned.
These scams can be created with as little as three seconds of audio taken from a social media profile, voicemail, or video on a website, warned Laura Hartley, National Australia Bank (NAB) Manager of Advisory Awareness.
‘While we haven’t had any reports of our customers being impacted by AI voice scams to date, we know they are happening in the UK and US, in particular, and anticipate it’s just a matter of time before these scams head down under,’ she mentioned last month.
Ms Hartley continued, ‘They just keep reinventing how they do these scams. They’re continually 10 steps ahead of everyone.’
In addition, Mr Poggioli advised social media users to be cautious about posting voice samples and suggested that families use a secret security word if money is requested.
'It's a way for you to verify who that person is,' he said.
The SDC has reported multiple instances of the 'Hi Mum' scam. You can read more here:
- BEWARE: Millions lost to 'Hi Mum' scam—and it just got more cunning!
- One fraudster behind the heartless 'Hi Mum' text scam has been caught
- ‘Hi Mum’ scam claims another victim: Victorian mum left devastated after losing $11,000
- Discover how one savvy dad outsmarted scammers by pointing out a small detail
- Dad shuts down ‘Hi Mum’ Scam in the most epic way - you need to see this!
Remember, scammers are always evolving their tactics, so it's crucial to stay informed about the latest scams and how to protect yourself.
If you believe you've been scammed, contact your bank immediately to report the scam and cancel any transactions.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by a similar scam? Share your experiences and tips for staying safe in the comments below.
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