US Mother Receives AI-Generated Call from 'Kidnapped Daughter' in Sophisticated Scam

Jennifer DeStefano, an Arizona woman, testified before the US Senate judiciary committee about the terrifying experience of being scammed into thinking her daughter was kidnapped, highlighting the dangers of artificial intelligence when used by criminals. Last April, DeStefano received a call from an unknown number, which she mistook for a doctor's office. To her horror, she heard what sounded exactly like her 15-year-old daughter Briana sobbing and pleading for help, claiming she had been taken by "bad men."

Panic set in as a man’s voice then barked commands at Briana, followed by threats to DeStefano, demanding a ransom initially set at $1 million and then lowered to $50,000. DeStefano, who was at her other daughter's dance rehearsal, managed to mute the call and scream for help, prompting nearby parents to call 911. As she negotiated with the fake kidnappers, she was told to prepare for a pickup by a white van and that failing to meet their demands would result in death for both her and her daughter.

Fortunately, another parent informed DeStefano about the possibility of an AI scam. She quickly made contact with her actual daughter and husband, who confirmed that Briana was safe. The terrifying ordeal ended when DeStefano hung up, overwhelmed with relief, though police initially dismissed her attempt to file a report as a prank call.

DeStefano used her testimony to urge lawmakers to regulate AI technology to prevent such scams. She warned that if left unchecked, AI could erode public trust in what is real and familiar, urging for protective measures against this emerging threat. A survey by McAfee found that 70% of people are not confident they could distinguish between a cloned voice and the real thing, underscoring the need for action.