The Chairman of the Nanshan Hall in Sibu, Cheng Wenxin, revealed that he was recently scammed out of RM4,800 and issued a warning to the public about fraudsters using artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic voices for scams.
To prevent others from falling victim, Cheng sent an urgent message via his mobile social network today, stating:
“This is a very important notice. I, Cheng Wenxin, warn that if anyone contacts you using my name or voice and asks for money transfers, it is a scam. Please be vigilant. If you receive such a call, report it immediately and do not fall for it.”
Cheng shared with reporters that he had received a phone call from someone claiming to be a close friend from the community. The voice sounded identical to the friend, raising no suspicion at the time.
“The caller said they needed funds to temporarily operate a new business and asked me to lend RM4,800. Since I believed it was a trusted friend, I transferred the money without hesitation. Later, the caller requested another transfer, and that’s when I became suspicious,” Cheng explained.
He immediately contacted the real friend’s secretary and discovered that the friend was in China and could not possibly have made the call or asked for money.
Cheng admitted that this incident highlighted the alarming capabilities of AI, as the fraudsters were able to convincingly imitate a familiar voice.
“AI today is incredibly advanced. It can almost perfectly replicate anyone’s voice, making it very difficult to detect,” he said.
He urged the public to always verify requests for money transfers through multiple channels, even if the voice or name seems familiar, to avoid becoming the next victim.
