Cybersecurity experts have issued a new warning about a growing WhatsApp scam known as the “Hi Mum” scam. The scheme has defrauded users out of over £490,000 in 2025 alone, now using artificial intelligence (AI) voice mimicry technology.
The scam starts with a message like “Hi Mum” or “Hi Dad,” where the person claims to have lost their phone and cannot access the bank. After gaining the victim’s trust, the scammer asks for money for rent or a new phone. Now, to add to the believability, they use AI to generate voice messages in the voice of a child or a relative.
Security expert Jake Moore explains that these scammers use voices taken from social media to create perfect impersonations. “Even my mother didn’t realize it was my AI-generated voice,” he says.
The scam is not limited to “Hi Mum.” Scammers can pose as boyfriends, girlfriends, or even close friends, using information gleaned from social media to create believable stories.
In April 2025, just 135 such cases caused losses of over £127,000. Santander Bank and experts advise never sending money to a new account without full verification. (A2 Televizion)
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