"Papa Ji, Police Has Arrested Me": How to Avoid AI Voice Scams - Punjabi News

Published on: 23 Jan 2026 at 12:45 PM

“Papa Ji, Police Has Arrested Me”: How to Avoid AI Voice Scams

Published by: Gill Bikram

“Papa Ji, Police Has Arrested Me”: How to Avoid AI Voice Scams

Imagine it’s afternoon. Your phone rings with an unknown number. A crying, pleading voice says: “Papa Ji, please save me… Police have arrested me… I didn’t do anything.” It sounds exactly like your son or daughter—the same tone, fear, and sobs. The ground slips from under your feet. Then a “policeman” takes the phone, claims arrest in a drug case or accident, and demands immediate money transfer or an FIR will be filed.

In panic, you send the money. Later, you learn your child is safe at college or work, unaware of it all. This isn’t a movie—it’s the terrifying reality of “AI voice scams.”

Voice Cloning: When Machines Steal Your Voice

How it works: Scammers use AI voice cloning. Just like sketching from a photo, AI replicates a voice from audio samples.

Source: Your social media—Instagram Reels, Facebook Stories, YouTube videos of you and your family.

Time needed: Modern AI needs just 3-10 seconds of audio. Type a script like “Papa, save me,” and it generates the clone in that exact voice, fooling even parents.

Tactic: They exploit fear, adding sirens or police station noises. “10 minutes, or jail!” This prevents you from verifying.

‘Safe Word’: Your Best Defense

Create a family “safe word” or password—known only to family. It could be anything unrelated to emergencies: favorite hero, city landmark, “carrot pudding,” blue sky, Superman.

How to use:

Discuss and set it with family (especially kids and elders) today.
If a distress call comes, demand: “Okay, I’ll help—but first, say our secret code.”
Scammers/AI won’t know it, exposing the fraud.

4 Simple Steps to Stay Safe

Hang up immediately: Don’t stay on the line.
Verify directly: Call your family on their personal number. If no answer, contact friends, office, or school.
Ignore unknown video calls: Scammers use deepfakes.
Secure social media: Make accounts private; limit voice/video exposure.

As technology advances, scams get hi-tech. Ears can deceive—use your brain. Remember: Police never demand money over phone. Next time, ask for the safe word.