Background

In March 2024, Sarita Khanna, a middle-aged wife of a businessman from Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, received a distressing call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to have kidnapped her 19-year-old daughter, Surbhi, who was studying in an Indore college. The voice on the other end sounded exactly like Surbhi, crying and pleading for help.

The Scam Unfolds

The caller, using AI-powered voice cloning software, had replicated Surbhi's voice to perfection. He demanded a ransom of ₹3 lakh, threatening harm to Surbhi if the money was not transferred immediately. Sarita, in a state of panic, tried calling Surbhi's number, but it was switched off. Desperate to save her daughter, she transferred ₹50,000 online before her husband could return home.

Realization and Aftermath

An hour later, Sarita's husband received a call from Surbhi, who was safe in her hostel and had switched off her phone to sleep. Realizing they had been scammed, Sarita and her husband reported the incident to the Indore police. Sarita later recounted, "It was Surbhi's voice. I could hear her crying and sobbing. I thought they would do something to her."