Deborah Del Mastro, a California mother and Navy veteran, was targeted by a sophisticated phone scam that lasted more than five hours. While having breakfast with her husband, she answered a local‑area call from a man who claimed a Mexican drug cartel had taken her 37‑year‑old daughter, Sarah.
Scammers used a fake voice to mimic the daughter
The caller asked if Sarah suffered panic attacks, then placed a second voice on the line that sounded like a terrified teenager. Deborah recognized the tone, recalling a recent breakup that had left Sarah sobbing. The impostor claimed Sarah had witnessed a crime in a parking lot and was being held for $20,000.
Extended control and ransom demands
For the next five and a half hours the scammer kept Deborah’s phone connected, demanding she move locations so he could monitor her surroundings. He instructed her to bring a phone charger, warned against “funny business,” and threatened that any attempt to end the call could end her daughter’s life.
When Deborah said she could not pay the full amount, the caller negotiated, eventually demanding $5,400. He directed her to a nearby Walmart, where she used MoneyGram and Western Union to send four separate transfers, exhausting the couple’s savings.
False release and the real ending
After the final payment, the scammer claimed Sarah had been released outside the Walmart. Deborah rushed to the entrance, only to find her daughter not there. A quick call to Sarah revealed she was at work, unharmed, and the entire ordeal was a fraud.
Deborah later testified before a U.S. Senate committee, describing herself as “completely traumatized.” Her experience underscores the urgent need for public awareness about AI‑generated voice scams and the importance of verifying any emergency request before complying.
How to protect yourself
Experts recommend never sending money based on a phone call, especially when the caller claims to have a loved one in danger. Verify the situation through independent channels, avoid sharing location details, and report suspicious calls to law enforcement.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
