Halifax police warn seniors of increased scams using AI

A courier who allegedly picked up money from the victim of a recent scam in Halifax is pictured.

Halifax Regional Police are responding to increased scams targeting seniors and warning about the methods criminals use to build trust with victims. Five seniors have reported being scammed in the last week, said a Friday news release.

Police said scammers are impersonating loved ones when they contact their targets and claiming they have been arrested. A second person, claiming to be a legal representative tells the victim they need to pay to have their loved one released from custody.

Criminals are using artificial intelligence to clone a loved one’s voice in recent incidents, said the release.

Police said court officials in Canada do not collect bail money from residences and anyone receiving a call like this should hang up the phone without providing personal information.

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