AI Voice Cloning Used in Lehi Kidnapping Scam

Scammers called a parent, used their child's voice to demand ransom

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Police in Lehi, Utah are warning about a recent kidnapping scam involving AI voice cloning. A parent received a call from someone claiming to have kidnapped their child, and the caller used AI to mimic the child's screaming voice in the background. Luckily, the parent was able to verify the child was safe at school. The FBI says criminals are increasingly using AI to steal people's likenesses and voices to carry out various crimes.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing threat of AI-powered scams and the need for greater public awareness. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, criminals are finding new ways to exploit it for nefarious purposes, putting innocent people at risk. The Lehi incident shows how AI voice cloning can be used to create highly convincing ransom demands that play on a parent's worst fears.

The details

According to Lehi Police, on February 13th a parent received a call from someone claiming to have kidnapped their child. The caller used AI to mimic the child's screaming voice in the background, making the threat seem credible. The scammer demanded money in exchange for the child's safe return. However, the parent was able to verify that their child was still at school and had not been kidnapped.

  • The incident occurred on February 13, 2026.
  • Lehi Police posted about the scam on their Facebook page.

The players

Lehi Police

The local law enforcement agency that warned the public about the AI voice cloning kidnapping scam.

FBI Special Agent Curtis Cox

An FBI agent who commented on the growing threat of AI-powered crimes, including the use of stolen likenesses and voices to carry out scams.

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What they’re saying

“Using children's voices [or] pictures that appear to represent one's child is a scare tactic that these bad actors know is likely to induce a reaction from parents or other loved ones.”

— Curtis Cox, FBI Special Agent

“Anything obviously that is posted online is going to be something they can use and manipulate and alter.”

— Curtis Cox, FBI Special Agent

What’s next

The FBI and local law enforcement are continuing to investigate the incident and warn the public about the growing threat of AI-powered scams. Authorities advise parents to be cautious about sharing personal information and media online that could be exploited by criminals.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater public awareness and education around the risks of AI technology falling into the wrong hands. As AI capabilities advance, criminals are finding new ways to leverage them for fraud, extortion, and other malicious purposes. Vigilance and proactive security measures are crucial to protect against these emerging threats.