In a shocking turn of events, nuns across southern Spain have been targeted in a sophisticated scam operation. Fraudsters, using advanced artificial intelligence, have mimicked the voices and images of bishops to deceive religious communities out of substantial sums of money.
AI deception on the rise
Recent reports from the Guardia Civil reveal that about 15 convents in Jaen, a southern province, have been hit by this high-tech fraud. The scammers’ method is chillingly effective. They alter their voices and even their faces using AI, convincing the nuns they’re communicating with familiar religious figures in need of financial help for medical procedures.
A costly mistake for Spanish nuns
One of the most notable cases involved a person pretending to be the Bishop of Jaen, Sebastián Chico. This individual contacted several nuns, requesting a transfer of €5,000 (£4,260) to cover surgery costs. A convent in Torredonjimeno was duped into sending £2,500, a significant loss for the community.
In Almeria, a coastal town, the bishop’s office has issued warnings about these fraudsters. They pointed out that the technology now can create nearly flawless copies of someone’s voice and, for video calls, even their facial expressions and gestures.
Skepticism saves
An attempt to fool one nun met with skepticism. When contacted by someone claiming to be the Bishop of Jaen but sounding unusual, she questioned the caller’s identity. The fraudster, sticking to his story, claimed he needed the money for throat surgery, attempting to explain the voice difference.
José Antonio Sánchez, the pro-vicar of the Diocese of Jaen, highlighted the exploitation of the nuns’ goodwill. He noted their readiness to help their bishop, viewed as a father figure, made them particularly vulnerable to this deceit.
This series of incidents underscores the need for heightened vigilance among religious communities and beyond. The sophistication of AI in impersonating individuals poses a new challenge in the digital age, where seeing or hearing might not always be believing.
Staying safe in the digital world
As AI technology becomes more accessible and its applications more convincing, it’s crucial for organizations and individuals to adopt strategies to verify the identity of those they communicate with online. Simple measures, such as direct callbacks to known numbers or the use of verification codes, can provide significant protection against such scams.
The unfortunate exploitation of these convents serves as a stark reminder of the dark side of technological advancements. While AI has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of society, its misuse in scams like these highlights the importance of digital literacy and security.
