Voice Clones Are the New Scammer Tool: Experts Warn Lithuanians Not to Trust Their Ears

Lithuanian cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm about a new breed of scam that exploits rapidly advancing artificial intelligence to clone voices. While not yet widespread in Lithuania, the trend indicates a future where distinguishing a loved one's voice on the phone from a sophisticated fake will become increasingly challenging.

Darius Povilaitis, head of cybersecurity at "Telia," warns that voice, once a reliable identifier, is now as untrustworthy as an email address or phone number. "Voice, as proof of identity, is today as unreliable as an email address or phone number – they can be faked," Povilaitis stated. This means a fundamental shift in how people verify calls is necessary; a familiar voice is no longer sufficient proof of identity.

Scammers are employing increasingly complex tactics, moving beyond easily identifiable foreign accents or suspicious numbers. They are now using spoofed Lithuanian numbers, speaking fluent Lithuanian, and incorporating personal details about the target to create convincing scenarios. "We are seeing cases where calls are made from numbers that look Lithuanian, they speak fluent Lithuanian and know personal details about the victim," Povilaitis explained.

Creating these voice clones is becoming technically simpler. AI can replicate a person's voice using recordings from social media, with accessible tools available even to those without specialized technical knowledge. "Active social media users are at greater risk – a person creates their own voice library for scammers," Povilaitis noted. Real-time voice conversion technology allows scammers to engage in conversations with victims almost instantaneously.

Despite the technological advancements, Povilaitis suggests some tell-tale signs might still betray a cloned voice, such as monotonous intonation and unnatural pauses. Law enforcement also reports a rise in phone scams, often accompanied by SMS messages with malicious links. Ramūnas Matonis from the Police Department emphasized that these scams are becoming more sophisticated, urging the public to remain vigilant.