NewsMV
Deborah Del Mastro, a California mother and Navy veteran, lost $5,400 to a virtual kidnapping scam that used artificial intelligence to mimic the voice of her 37-year-old daughter, Sarah.
For five and a half hours, Del Mastro believed Mexican cartel members had abducted her daughter and were demanding a ransom.
The caller, who claimed to be part of the cartel, threatened to sell Sarah for $20,000 or sexually traffic her if the money was not paid.
Del Mastro described the voice on the phone as indistinguishable from her daughter's, noting that Sarah had recently gone through a breakup and had previously exhibited similar panic symptoms.
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