A wave of AI-powered scams is sweeping across WhatsApp, costing UK families nearly half a million pounds in 2025 alone and it’s only May.
Cybercriminals are now combining old tricks with new tech. In the evolving “Hi Mum” scam, fraudsters impersonate a loved one over WhatsApp and ask for emergency cash.
The twist
They’re now using AI-generated voice messages to mimic children’s voices, making the deception frighteningly convincing.
“Scammers are increasingly getting better at manipulating people… cloning any voice is now simple, even in a matter of moments,”says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET.
By the numbers:
- 506 WhatsApp scams since Jan 2025
- Victims lost £490,606 ($651,230)
- April alone: 135 cases, £127,417 lost
How it works:
- You get a WhatsApp from an unknown number: “Hi Mum, I lost my phone.”
- They claim they’re locked out of their bank.
- They send a voice note and it sounds like your child.
- They ask you to urgently transfer money to a new account.
A screen-grab excerpt of the WhatsApp ‘Hi mum’ text scam. Photograph: Santander
The danger
Scammers scrape social media for voice clips and personal details. Then they use generative AI to clone the voice and craft a believable story.
“I was able to fool my own mother with an AI version of my voice,” Moore admits.
Who’s at risk:
- Parents with active kids on social media
- Elderly users less familiar with AI tricks
- Anyone receiving messages from unfamiliar numbers
What you can do:
- Always call back using a saved number before sending money
- Set up family ‘code words’ to verify real emergencies
- Never send money to a new account without confirmation
- Report scams to 7726 (UK scam reporting line)
- If you fall victim, contact your bank immediately
Stay vigilant
AI scams are advancing fast. WhatsApp, though encrypted, can’t stop someone with your number from messaging you.
“These scams are evolving at breakneck speed,” says Chris Ainsley, head of fraud at Santander.
AI has supercharged a common scam. If your child “calls” from a strange number asking for money, think twice. Then call them on the number you know.
