Silent Call Scam Drains Accounts: Recognise the Characteristics of the New Fraud Method

The Silent Call scam drains bank accounts, so recognise the signs of this new fraud method.

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Scams continue to evolve in various ways to ensnare numerous victims. One such method is the so-called Silent Call, which records the victim’s voice to deceive even more people.

This Silent Call involves phoning potential victims using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The perpetrators deliberately remain silent to provoke the victim into making a sound.

The victim’s voice is then recorded. Subsequently, the voice is cloned and used to trick the victim’s close contacts.

“We urge the residents of Tangerang City to exercise greater caution. Silence when we answer a call from an unknown number is not merely a network disruption, but rather a tactic employed by perpetrators to record a sample of our voice. With AI technology, that brief recording can be processed into an identical voice clone to deceive those close to us,” said the Head of the Tangerang City Communication and Informatics Office, Mugiya Wardhany, in her official statement, quoted on Friday (17/4/2026).

The public is asked to inform their close contacts if they suspect they have become victims and provided a voice sample. This way, they will not be fooled by any strange requests in communications.

The Tangerang City Communication and Informatics Office has also shared tips to avoid this crime. Namely, by implementing the Silent First protocol, which means not speaking carelessly on calls from unknown parties.

Here are the five methods shared by the Tangerang City Communication and Informatics Office:

Do Not Start the Conversation

Do not initiate the conversation when answering a call from an unknown number. Let the caller speak first.

Avoid Saying Risky Words

You are also advised not to say certain risky words, such as “yes,” “hello,” and “who is this.” Repeated utterances of these can serve as the basis for cloning the victim’s voice.

Apply the 5-Second Rule

Wait 3 to 5 seconds when receiving a call from an unknown person. Immediately hang up and block the number if there is no sound at all from the caller.

Use Number Tracking Apps

Utilise number tracking apps when receiving calls from unknown numbers. These apps will provide information on labels or tags given by other users.

Ignore phone calls if the label that appears for the call is “Spam” or “Scam.”

Verify with a Secret Password

You need to prepare a secret password known only to your immediate family. This will serve as verification when there is a call that sounds like you and requests something unusual.