Urgent warning over 'Hi Mum' WhatsApp scam: Fraudsters are using AI to mimic children's voices to steal millions of pounds from unsuspecting parents

For millions of people, WhatsApp is a vital connection to friends and family around the world. But cybersecurity experts have issued a fresh warning over an insidious scam which has already duped users out of almost half a million pounds since the start of 2025. In the so-called'Hi Mum' scam, criminals impersonate a family member to trick their victims into sending them money. Now, fraudsters are even using AI voice impersonation technology to dupe their victims. The scam begins by sending a WhatsApp message saying'Hi Mum' or'Hi Dad' as the sender claims they have lost their phone and have been locked out of their bank account.