March 8 Father warns others about ‘family emergency scam’ caused by AI
This week on cybersecurity from the editors of Cybercrime Magazine
– Listen to the Cybercrime Magazine podcast interview
Sausalito, California – March 8, 2024
Philadelphia attorney Gary Schildhorn received a call from someone he believed to be his son Brett, telling him he needed money to post bail following a car accident. Schildhorn later discovered that he had almost fallen victim to scammers using AI to clone his son’s voice. reported Andrea Blanco to The Independent.
The distressed son told his father he had wrecked his car and needed $9,000 to pay bail. Brett said his nose was broken and he hit a pregnant woman’s car and asked his father to call the prosecutor handling his case.
Schildhorn did as he was asked, but a brief call with the so-called public defender, who ordered him to send the money via a Bitcoin kiosk, made the worried father uneasy about the situation . After a follow-up call with his son, Schildhorn realized he had almost fallen victim to what the Federal Trade Commission dubbed the “family emergency scam.”
Last week, Schildhorn came on the Cybercrime Magazine podcast and told us his story.
Cybercrime Magazine is the front page for cybersecurity. Access one of our sections to read the latest news:
- SCAM. The latest schemes, frauds and social engineering attacks launched against consumers around the world.
- NEWS. Comprehensive coverage of cyberattacks and data breaches, plus the latest privacy and security articles.
- TO HACK. Another organization is hacked every day. We tell you who, what, where, when and why.
- RESUME. Cybersecurity venture deals track the latest investment activity from various sources across the globe.
- Mergers and Acquisitions. Cybersecurity mergers and acquisitions, including big tech, pure-play cybersecurity, product providers, and professional services.
- BLOG. What’s happening at Cybercrime Magazine. Plus the stories that don’t make headlines (but maybe they should).
- PRESS. Real-time cybersecurity industry news and press releases from Business Wire editors.
- PODCAST. New daily episodes on the Cybercrime Magazine podcast feature victims, law enforcement, vendors, and cybersecurity experts.
- RADIO. Tune in to WCYB Digital Radio on Cybercrime.Radio, the first and only 24-hour Internet radio station dedicated to cybersecurity.
Contact us to send tips, feedback and suggestions, as well as for sponsorship opportunities and custom media productions.