FRAUD FACT FRIDAY: AI-Enabled Scams (Deepfakes, Voice Cloning)

As the number of frauds and scams continues to grow in the Nicola Valley, Merritt & Nicola Valley Crime Stoppers, and Q101 are teaming up to present Fraud Fridays, a feature designed to inform those in the community of the dangers of fraud, what they should look for, and what to do if they are a victim of fraud.

Marlene Jones, chair of the local chapter of Crime Stoppers, says that her organization is making fraud and fraud prevention a top priority in 2026, with hopes to keep the community safe from those looking to scam people out of their money and personal information.

Today’s Fraud Friday: AI-Enabled Scams (Deepfakes, Voice Cloning)

These scams look and sound like real people you know, but they use AI tools to mimic voices and faces to gain your trust.

How They Work

• Scammers clone voices using short audio clips.

• Deepfake videos or images are used to impersonate others.

• Victims are pressured to send money urgently.

• Fraudsters target people through phone, video, or messaging apps.

Steps to Protect Yourself

• Use a family or workplace code word for emergencies.

• Be cautious of urgent requests for money.

• Verify identity through another method before acting.

• Limit what you share publicly online.

What to Do If Targeted

• Hang up and contact the real person directly.

• Report the incident to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

• Save recordings or messages as evidence.

Bottom Line

” When something feels off, pause and verify. AI can mimic voices, but not context.”

The Merritt & Nicola Valley Crime Stoppers are also looking for volunteers this year to help out with local events. If you can spare just a few hours a month or would like to become more active within the organization by reaching out to Crime Stoppers via their website at www.nicolavalleycrimestoppers.com.