Malaysia busts AI voice translation scam ring run by 35 Chinese nationals targeting Spain -…
Malaysian authorities arrested 35 Chinese nationals for allegedly using AI voice translation in a fake job scam targeting victims in Spain.
- Incident date
- May 2024
- Target
- Victims in Spain
In May 2024, Malaysian police apprehended 35 Chinese nationals suspected of using AI-powered voice translation to conduct a fake job scam targeting individuals in Spain. The suspects allegedly used AI to overcome language barriers, offering non-existent jobs online.
What happened
The suspects, aged 21 to 39, were arrested at a rented luxury bungalow in Johor state. They allegedly used AI tools to translate their voices from Chinese to English and Spanish voices into English, facilitating communication with victims. The scammers lured victims with promises of high-paying jobs, requiring them to purchase increasingly expensive packages. Police seized phones, computers, and modems, and investigations revealed the suspects had been operating since February, paying MYR18,000 monthly for the bungalow.