What if you received a WhatsApp voice note from your brother asking for urgent help? The voice sounds exactly like him — his tone, the way he says your name, even his laugh. You quickly sent the money. But what if that voice was fake?
This is the danger of deepfake voice scams, and cases in Malaysia are increasing rapidly.
How These Scams Work
Scammers now use artificial intelligence (AI) to clone voices. With just a few seconds of audio — often taken from TikTok or social media — they can create a fake version of someone’s voice.
They usually pretend to be:
- A family member asking for urgent financial help
- A friend or colleague requesting money transfers
- A celebrity or public figure promoting fake investments
The goal is simple: trick you into trusting them and make you act fast without thinking.
The Alarming Numbers
- Since 2024, police have investigated over 454 voice cloning cases, with losses of RM2.72 million.
- In the first three months of 2025 alone, Malaysians lost RM573.7 million to online scams, including fake e-commerce, loans, and investments.
Well-known Malaysians like Siti Nurhaliza and Lee Chong Wei have even been impersonated in deepfake ads for fake crypto and investment schemes.
Why It’s So Dangerous
Deepfake scams are not just about losing money. They also:
- Destroy trust in online communication
- Spread false news and misinformation
- Pose risks to national security if leaders or officials are impersonated
When you can no longer believe what you hear or see online, it becomes harder to know what’s real.
How to Protect Yourself
Here are some simple steps:
- Always double-check unexpected requests, even if the voice sounds familiar
- Verify through another channel (call the person directly or use video chat) before sending money
- Stay updated on the latest scams and share warnings with friends and family
If you suspect a deepfake or scam, you can report it to Cyber999 (CyberSecurity Malaysia’s help centre).
In today’s digital world, as scams become increasingly sophisticated, being vigilant and prepared is the best way to stay safe. At Condition Zebra, we protect businesses by strengthening their defences with cybersecurity solutions and awareness training, such as:
- Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing (VAPT)
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
- Security Awareness Training
- Cybersecurity Training
Contact Condition Zebra today for a free consultation with our Cybersecurity Expert
Source:
How deepfake voices are fuelling money scams
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