Police Urge Public Caution as AI Voice-Cloning Scam Videos Spread Online

Recently, suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated voice deepfake videos have appeared online. The Criminal Investigation Bureau stated that it will investigate the matter in accordance with the law, while urging the public to remain vigilant. Citizens are advised to verify suspicious content through multiple sources and avoid falling victim to scams, according to the Central News Agency.

AI voice synthesis technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, making it possible to simulate the voices and tones of specific individuals using only a small amount of source material. While this technology originally had legitimate applications, it has also been abused by bad actors to create convincing fake videos, turning it into a new tool for fraud and misinformation.

A common tactic in such fake videos involves impersonating the likeness and voices of celebrities, experts, or government officials to endorse investment scams, fake products, or false information, exploiting public trust in authority to lower their guard. As the quality of synthesis becomes increasingly realistic, it is growing more difficult to distinguish between real and fake using only the naked eye and ear.

To counter AI-generated counterfeits, experts recommend that the public follow several key principles: maintain skepticism toward "guaranteed-return" investments or overly exaggerated claims; verify the sources of information through official channels; watch for unnatural inconsistencies among lip movements, audio, and visuals in videos; and refrain from casually forwarding unverified content to avoid becoming a node for the spread of misinformation.

AI is a double-edged sword; the technology itself is neutral, with the key lying in its users and society's defense capabilities. Enhancing the digital literacy of the entire population and establishing sound verification habits are fundamental ways to resist the wave of AI-driven misinformation.