Fake doctor AI scam targets Mandarin-speaking community

Victoria Police has warned of a fake doctor scam targeting Mandarin-speaking victims in the community, seeking to defraud them of tens of thousands of dollars. The perpetrators are employing artificial intelligence to impersonate doctors, general practitioners, and surgeons through cloned voices, making the calls appear more legitimate. Police have received ten reports of the scam in the past month, with victims losing up to $50,000 each.

The scammers credit themselves as medical professionals and urge victims to purchase gift cards, providing the code via text message. Victims are then pressured into buying more gift cards until their finances are depleted. Police advise anyone receiving a call from someone claiming to be a doctor, GP, or surgeon instructing them to buy gift cards to refrain from complying with their demands.

Detective Acting Inspector Eleanor Vallas of the Cybercrime Squad has urged the Mandarin-speaking community to remain vigilant, report any suspicious calls to the police, and keep records of their interactions. She emphasized that there are no barriers to reporting such incidents and that sharing information can aid in the investigation and prevention of future scams.

Victims should seek advice from trusted individuals or the police before taking any action, especially when it involves transferring money or sharing personal details.