Shocking scam unfolds in Upper Franconia, with details revealing an alarmingly subtle deception
On September 5, 2025, an 82-year-old woman in Lichtenfels received a shocking phone call. The caller, claiming to be a police officer, informed her that her daughter had been involved in a fatal accident, as reported by the police. The caller demanded a bail of 45,000 euros.
What made the call even more convincing was the allegedly authentic voice of the woman's daughter in the background, confirming the accident and the bail amount. However, the police have stated that the method used to imitate the voices was initially unclear.
The family members quickly realised that the call was a scam. The call was made to both the woman and her son, with the caller claiming to be a police officer and using the voice of the woman's daughter in the background.
In a similar incident, it has been reported that scammers have used artificial intelligence-based voice imitation software to simulate the voices of family members and commit fraud. The daughter's voice, as heard in the background of the call, was likely imitated using such technology.
After the realisation that they were being scammed, the family members prevented any payment of the demanded bail. No specific details about the accident, as reported by the police, were provided in the call.
In a strange twist, the woman's son also received a call from the same supposed commissioner, with the caller telling the same story and claiming to have heard the son's sister's voice in the background. The call was ended after the alleged confirmation.
The police have not mentioned any further action regarding the scam in the article. It serves as a reminder for everyone to be vigilant against such fraudulent activities and to verify the authenticity of any unusual calls or messages before taking any action.
