In recent months, Canadians have found themselves at the center of a new wave of cybercrime—one that leverages the power of artificial intelligence to create convincing voice messages that can fool even the most vigilant among us. Imagine picking up the phone and hearing what sounds like your boss, a government official, or a well-known public figure urgently asking for sensitive information or a quick financial transfer. Would you recognize it as a scam?
This unsettling scenario is no longer science fiction. According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), there has been a significant spike in scams involving AI-generated voice messages. Cybercriminals are using sophisticated technology to clone voices and impersonate senior officials and prominent public figures, making their fraudulent requests more believable than ever before.
How Do AI Voice Scams Work?
The mechanics behind these scams are both fascinating and alarming. Threat actors use AI tools to analyze audio samples of a target’s voice—often pulled from public speeches, interviews, or even social media. With enough data, AI can generate a synthetic voice that sounds nearly identical to the real person. Scammers then use these voice clones to make phone calls or send voice messages, often accompanied by urgent requests for money or confidential information.
These attacks are a form of social engineering, designed to exploit trust and authority. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and its partners have been tracking how AI is making these scams more personalized and persuasive, not just in Canada but around the world. In April 2025, the FBI also issued a public alert about the growing threat of AI-powered impersonation scams.
Who Is Being Targeted?
While anyone can fall victim to these scams, recent campaigns have focused on business executives, senior public officials, and individuals with access to sensitive information or financial resources. The goal is simple: trick the target into taking quick action before they have time to verify the request.
How to Spot and Avoid AI Voice Scams
Staying safe in this new era of cybercrime requires a mix of skepticism, vigilance, and practical steps:
- Be cautious with urgent requests. If you receive a call or message demanding immediate action—especially involving money or sensitive data—pause and verify the request through a trusted channel.
- Watch for unusual communication methods. If someone typically emails you but suddenly calls with an urgent request, that’s a red flag.
- Educate your team. Make sure everyone in your organization knows about these scams and understands the importance of verification.
- Use multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts and can help prevent unauthorized access.
- Report suspicious activity. If you encounter a potential scam, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local authorities right away.
What to Do If You’re Targeted
If you receive a suspicious call or message:
- Do not provide any personal or financial information.
- Hang up or ignore the message.
- Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local police.
Staying One Step Ahead
As AI technology continues to evolve, so too will the tactics of cybercriminals. The best defense is awareness and preparation. By staying informed and adopting smart security practices, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your organization from falling victim to these sophisticated scams.
Key Takeaways:
- AI-generated voice scams are on the rise in Canada, targeting individuals and organizations.
- Scammers use voice cloning to impersonate trusted figures and make convincing requests.
- Always verify urgent or unusual requests through a separate, trusted channel.
- Educate your team and use multi-factor authentication for added security.
- Report any suspicious activity to the authorities to help prevent further scams.