AI voice scam targets Armenia’s health sector

Armenia’s healthcare sector is facing a wave of fake messages and calls impersonating the spokesperson of the Minister of Health, in what she described to Armenpress as a coordinated information attack aimed at extracting sensitive medical data from hospital administrators.

Mariam Tsatryan, spokesperson for Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan, called on hospital administrators to remain vigilant.

Armenpress: In recent days, hospital directors have been receiving voice messages, calls, and letters in your name, which turn out to be fake. What is the target of this process?

Mariam Tsatryan: Yes, this is the second wave of an information attack in the sector. Unlike the previous case, when healthcare workers received messages featuring my photo, this time the targets are hospital directors. It seems they have gone further and even generated my voice using AI. The fake messages are being spread via WhatsApp, using my photo and different phone numbers.

Armenpress: What are those behind this information attack trying to achieve? Based on the nature of the requested information, can you infer their purpose?

Mariam Tsatryan: Judging by the nature of the questions, it is clear that they are trying to obtain information that could potentially lead to a dangerous process, given the sensitivity of the sector, medical confidentiality, and a number of other factors.

I am asking our healthcare community colleagues to remain highly vigilant and not respond to such suspicious messages or calls.