New grandparent scam using AI technology a cause for concern in Alberta [Video]

Police have identified a new form of an old scam targeting senior citizens following two arrests in southern Alberta.

The evolution of technology has made some things easier, and artificial intelligence has become a tool for criminals.

Rob Miyashiro, executive director for the Lethbridge Senior Citizens’ Organization, says new scams are increasingly problematic for older generations.

“It’s unfortunate that seniors, who may not be as technologically literate as other people, are seriously going to be affected by new advances in AI and other technologies.”

Police say two men have been with fraud over $5,000 after elderly residents couriered money to scam artists who were using AI to mimic the voices of the victim’s grandchildren.

“What we frequently see is that they involve grandparents and their grandchild is in some sort of an emergency situation – whether they’ve been arrested for something or a car accident and they’re in the hospital and need to pay their hospital bills,” said Kevin Talbot, the sergeant in charge of the economic crimes unit …