A local business in Billings, Montana, has unwittingly found itself intertwined in an artificial intelligence-driven voice scam, leading its owners to come forward with their story amidst growing concerns over such fraudulent activities. Colima de Mis Amores, a Mexican grocery store and bakery situated at 2212 Grant Road, was recently used as a transfer point in a sophisticated scam targeting a local mother, Juel Graham.
In early October, Graham fell victim to scammers who used AI technology to mimic her daughter's voice, leading her to believe her daughter was being held hostage. Under duress, she was instructed to wire several hundred dollars to a bank in Mexico through the store. The store, managed by Rubi and Miguel Murillo, offers a variety of Mexican goods and an international money transfer service named Maxi.
Rubi Murillo recalled Graham's visit, noting that her demeanour was calm during the transaction, which involved an amount below $500—thus not triggering the store’s enhanced verification process that would typically ask more detailed questions about the transaction. It wasn't until later that the Murillos learned of the scam through a warning Graham posted on social media, expressing her ordeal.
Shocked by the revelation, the Murillos promptly filed a police report, acknowledging that their store had become an inadvertent part of the scam. They speculated that the scammer likely found their store via an online search for money transfer services in Billings.
The Murillos expressed empathy for Graham's situation, sharing that they themselves are frequent targets of scam attempts, which often involve bilingual callers demanding money for various services or upgrades. According to Miguel Murillo, these calls range from alleged electricity bill arrears to demands for software downloads, all part of an ongoing challenge many business owners face.
Dale Dixon, Chief Innovation Officer for the Better Business Bureau's Great West Pacific Region, highlighted the global and multilingual nature of such scams, demonstrating how technology enables con artists to localise their approach effectively. He noted that scammers often rely on artificial intelligence to generate voices and communicate in the language suitable for their targets.
Dixon described the typical methods used by scammers to exploit businesses, including posing as company executives and prompting employees to wire money for deceptive purposes. Recent statistics from the Better Business Bureau show that the median financial loss per business victimised by scams in 2023 stands at $523. The top scams affecting businesses are often related to fraudulent problem-solving services, impersonation of banks or credit card companies, and fake invoices.
To counteract the threat, Dixon advised businesses to establish clear communication channels and protocols that prevent the sharing of sensitive information over the phone. Training employees to recognise suspicious requests and verify them independently is crucial.
The Murillos have adopted these protective measures in their store, ensuring that employees are informed of potential scam scenarios and remain vigilant. They reassured the community that they had no involvement in the scam that beset Graham and wished to clarify their innocence in the matter.
In the aftermath, the Murillos have faced some negative public perception as a result of their unwitting involvement. They stressed their commitment to transparency and honesty, emphasising their longstanding contribution to the Billings community. The couple expressed their determination to continue serving their customers while safeguarding against future scams.
Source: Noah Wire Services