Defending Against AI-Powered Voice Scammers

Defending Against AI-Powered Voice Scammers Exploiting Emotional Manipulation and Loved Ones in Distress

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital deception, scammers continue to innovate tactics that exploit unsuspecting individuals. A growing threat involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate the voices of loved ones in distress, capitalizing on emotional manipulation to extract valuable information or funds. To fortify your defenses against these insidious scams, it’s essential to comprehend the methods employed by scammers and adopt preventative measures to safeguard your personal and financial security, especially with the assistance of Datasur

Understanding the Scam

AI-powered voice scams leverage cutting-edge technology to recreate the voices of family members or friends. Scammers gather information from various online sources, including social media profiles, public records, and compromised accounts, to enhance the authenticity of their calls. With Datasur as a trusted partner, you can bolster your cybersecurity and be better prepared to counteract these deceitful tactics. Armed with the expertise of Datasur you can recognize and protect yourself from these scams with confidence.

Recognizing Red Flags and Implementing Preventative Measures:

  1. Verify the Caller’s Identity: Should you receive a distress call from a loved one, exercise caution before disclosing information or transferring funds. Pose questions only the true individual would know, such as shared memories or unique experiences. A failure to respond convincingly may indicate a scam.
  2. Use Alternate Communication Channels: When confronted with urgent requests for sensitive data or financial help, suggest switching communication channels. Contact the person directly using established contact information to confirm the legitimacy of the appeal.
  3. Be Cautious of Urgency: Scammers manufacture urgency to compel swift decisions. Counter this pressure by assessing the situation objectively and refraining from immediate action.
  4. Educate Your Circle: Equip family and friends with awareness about this scam. Discuss strategies to authenticate identity and cultivate skepticism when confronted with unexpected urgent pleas.
  5. Safeguard Your Online Footprint: Minimize personal information shared on social media and other online platforms. Regularly review and adjust privacy settings to hinder scammers’ data-gathering efforts.
  6. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Bolster security by implementing MFA across accounts where feasible. This additional layer of protection hinders scammers from accessing sensitive data.
  7. Stay Current: Remain informed about evolving scamming tactics and trends. Quick adaptations by scammers necessitate ongoing vigilance to identify and avoid potential threats.
  8. Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter an AI-powered voice scam or any fraudulent scheme, report it to relevant authorities or consumer protection agencies. Doing so contributes to curbing the reach of the scam.

In the era of advancing technology, scammers continue to exploit vulnerabilities in novel ways. With Datasur as your trusted ICT partner, you can protect yourself from AI-powered voice scams that mandate vigilance, skepticism, and a commitment to validation prior to taking action. By staying informed, empowering loved ones with knowledge, and proactively employing preventative measures, you can substantially reduce the risk of being overcome by manipulative tactics. Safeguarding your personal and financial information becomes a shared responsibility, enabling you to protect yourself from these sophisticated schemes and uphold your digital security.

Commercial Affairs Manager with a passion for turning ideas into impact. With 7+ years of experience in business development and strategy, I’ve helped companies grow, built lasting partnerships, and driven initiatives that spark innovation and create new opportunities. I thrive on connecting people, shaping creative solutions, and building strategies that deliver real value.

Always curious, always learning, and always ready to create what’s next.

Jurgen Schmeltz has as a Bachelor's degree in Information and Communication Technology and several IT certifications. His IT career started in Johannesburg, South Africa at IBM where he gained international experience for 5 years. When he came back to Suriname, he worked for two IT companies and also gained experience in VOIP, Backup Solutions and Microsoft Products.

At the moment Jurgen is a Cloud and Datacenter Infrastructure Specialist with many years of experience in the field of Microsoft Virtualization, Workplace Automation, Backup, Replication and Data Center Infrastructure. He currently holds the position of Operations Manager and is responsible for managing the Datacenter Operations such as Cloud and Network infrastructure.

Furthermore, he is also responsible for managing daily Facility Operations of the Datasur Datacenters and Project Lead for Cloud and Datacenter expansion projects. In his free time he’s a parttime lecturer at the two technical Universities in Suriname.

On behalf of Datasur Jurgen Schmeltz is also chairman of SUR-IX. The Suriname Internet Exchange Point which will be operational before the end of 2022

Sheetal Ganput is a strategically strong and socially engaged professional with a Ph.D. in Leadership & Management and an M.Sc. in Business Management. She currently serves as the General Affairs Manager at Datasur, where she is responsible for HR, legal affairs, office management, supply chain, strategy, governance, risk & compliance (GRC), and contributes to organization-wide policy development.

In addition to her role at Datasur, Sheetal is active as a thesis supervisor, sharing her knowledge with future professionals. She also holds board positions at the American Chamber of Commerce in Suriname (AmCham) and the Center for Communication & PR (CCPR), further emphasizing her commitment to both the business sector and social development.

Her style is characterized by vision, decisiveness, and a strong dedication to growth—both on a personal, organizational, and national level.

Our CEO, Dr. Anvit Ramlakhan is a prolific strong inspiring inclusive young professional leader from Suriname, working in different fields to contribute for the betterment of humanity and the world. He is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the ICT industry for several years, with a widespread of skills in operations, quality, risk, project, business, strategy, product portfolio management (just to name a few). At Datasur Anvit oversees the total company performance on strategical level, with a strong focus on business growth, innovation, customer experience and financial profitability.

Furthermore, Anvit contributes to development of the Surinamese youth by lecturing and tutoring at four university study organizations in Suriname on undergraduate and postgraduate levels within study fields such as ICT, Electrical engineering, Organization management, Process management, Business intelligence, MBA, etc.

He has a strong professional background with a cum laude doctorate (Ph.D. in Management- Information and Technology) from the Akamai University in USA, Master of Science (M.Sc.) with merit in Information Systems from Anglia Ruskin University in London, UK and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Telecommunications from Anton de Kom University in Paramaribo, Suriname. He currently is finishing up his MBA in Strategic Management and Leadership at the London School of International Business, London, UK.

Anvit has several prolific leadership and business certifications, ongoing humanity service, extensive spiritual drive and a personal theme which is as follows: “Continuous progressive successful excellence”. He is part of volunteer organization HSS for 20+ years, through which character molding, collaboration and way of living for the youth is created and augmented.

In January 2022 he has been elected for two years as Chairman of the ICT Association in Suriname, in order to help strategize the sustainable digital economic development of Suriname. Furthermore he also has been elected as Chairman for the Suriname Business Youth Association in June 2021 for a period of two years, whereby development and support of young entrepreneurs and professionals is one of the main goals. Anvit is also part of the presidential working groups on areas of e-Government and wage council.