Case scammers-clone-sheriff-voiceDeepfake fraudUnited States
Scammers use AI-cloned voice of Osceola County, Florida sheriff's captain in fake arrest-warrant calls
The Osceola County Sheriff's Office says scammers used AI to clone the voice, and used the photo, of Captain Steve Moser in voicemails claiming recipients had an arrest warrant or had missed jury duty. The office estimates about 40 cases of scammers impersonating law enforcement this year. The sources report no victim losses and do not say all of the 40 cases involved AI voice cloning.
LowAttack using AIStatus: Under investigationVerified case file
Open in the interactive mapCite this case
- Reported
- Oct 19, 2026
- Location
- United States
- Target
- Residents of Osceola County, Florida receiving fake arrest-warrant and missed-jury-duty calls; Captain Steve Moser impersonated
- Severity
- Low
- Verification
- Reported by credible press or researchers
- Triggered by
- Unknown scammers
- Actor type
- Criminal
- Sector
- Individuals & consumers
- Reported loss
- None reported
- CVE
- None
What happened
The Osceola County Sheriff's Office says scammers used AI to clone the voice, and used the photo, of Captain Steve Moser in voicemails claiming recipients had an arrest warrant or had missed jury duty. The office estimates about 40 cases of scammers impersonating law enforcement this year. The sources report no victim losses and do not say all of the 40 cases involved AI voice cloning.
Impact: The sheriff's identity was abused. Losses and number of victims are not stated.
Who triggered it
Actor: Unknown scammers
Attribution: Unidentified scammers. Police are quoted by 404 Media.
Motive: Fraud
How it happened
Attack vector: AI voice cloning of a sheriff's voice used to impersonate him.
Root cause: Public voice samples can be cloned with AI to convincingly impersonate officials.
Timeline
- Reported by 404 Media
Response
Police have publicised the scam. No arrests are reported.
Current status: Under investigation
Research warnings this case matches
- Seen in real incidents AI-made fakes fuel fraud and extortion · International AI Safety Report
- Seen in real incidents Malicious actors and misuse · MIT AI Risk Repository
Compared with published AI risk research from several institutes on the Research vs reality page.
Sources (open in a new tab)
- 404 Media 404media.co
- WKMG ClickOrlando clickorlando.com
- FOX 35 Orlando fox35orlando.com
Cite this case
Scammers use AI-cloned voice of Osceola County, Florida sheriff's captain in fake arrest-warrant calls. AI Threat Watch, case scammers-clone-sheriff-voice, Oct 19, 2026. https://aithreat.io/cases/scammers-clone-sheriff-voice/
Permanent link: https://aithreat.io/cases/scammers-clone-sheriff-voice/
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