>>> TONIGHT, THE CONCERNS FOR THE HEALTH OF POPE FRANCIS AFTER HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN ROME. THE VATICAN SAYING THE POPE IS NOW HOSPITALIZED WITH A RESPIRATORY INFECTION AFTER THE 86-YEAR-OLD EXPERIENCED BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. HOW LONG HE'S EXPECTED TO STAY, AND WILL HE BE BACK ON HIS FEET IN TIME FOR THE PALM SUNDAY MASS THIS SUNDAY KICKING OFF THE VATICAN'S HOLY WEEK. >>> ALSO TONIGHT, NEW IMAGES FROM THE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN NASHVILLE. YOUNG CHILDREN RUNNING ACROSS A BUSY ROAD TO ESCAPE THE GUNFIRE. THE SEARCH FOR ANSWERS. WHAT WAS THE SHOOTER'S MOTIVE? >>> THE MAJOR CROSS-COUNTRY STORM ON THE MOVE. HEAVY RAIN AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES. WE'RE TRACKING IT. >>> NBC NEWS INVESTIGATES, THE THREAT IN A MAJOR U.S. CITY, POLICE ZEROING IN ON THIEVES DRUGGING PEOPLE AT BARS AND DRAINING THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS. FOR SOME VICTIMS IT'S FATAL. ONE MOTHER WHO FOUGHT TO CONVINCE POLICE HER SON WAS NO ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE. >>> THOSE IMAGES OF UNRULY PASSENGERS ON PLANES. TODAY, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ON THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL. WHAT THEY'RE DEMANDING CONGRESS DO ABOUT IT. >>> THE GROWING SCAM INVOLVING AI. HOW CRIMINALS CAN IMPERSONATE YOU OR A LOVED ONE AND CASH IN. >>> AND ON THIS VIETNAM VETERANS DAY, HARRY SMITH ON A JOURNEY HOME MORE THAN 50 YEARS IN THE MAKING. >> Announcer: THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT. >>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME, EVERYONE. WE BEGIN WITH DEVELOPING NEWS OUT OF THE VATICAN TONIGHT SURROUNDING THE HEALTH OF POPE FRANCIS. JUST DAYS BEFORE THE START OF HOLY WEEK OBSERVANCES, THE 86-YEAR-OLD LEADER OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IS IN A HOSPITAL IN ROME TONIGHT AFTER SUFFERING BREATHING DIFFICULTIES IN RECENT DAYS. TONIGHT THE VATICAN REPORTS POPE FRANCIS IS BEING TREATED FOR A RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND WILL REMAIN HOSPITALIZED FOR A FEW DAYS RECEIVING MEDICAL THERAPY. IN WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT BIDEN TONIGHT EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE POPE WHO HE CALLED A FRIEND. WE GET LATE DETAILS NOW FROM ANNE THOMPSON. >> Reporter: THIS MORNING, AT HIS WEEKLY GENERAL AUDIENCE, POPE FRANCIS APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD FORM AND VOICE. [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: PERHAPS THE ONLY HINT OF TROUBLE, REPORTS HE GRIMACED GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE POPEMOBILE. THAT DIDN'T STOP FRANCIS FROM THE PART OF HIS JOB HE CLEARLY ENJOYS, BUT LATER HE WAS TAKEN TO GEMELLI HOSPITAL FOR WHAT THE VATICAN SAYS IS A RESPIRATORY INFECTION THAT CAUSED THE 86-YEAR-OLD PONTIFF BREATHING DIFFICULTY IN RECENT DAYS. THE VATICAN WAS QUICK TO SAY, THIS IS NOT COVID. NBC'S CLAUDIO LAVANGA IS IN VATICAN CITY. >> THE DAY STARTED AS EVERY WEDNESDAY AT THE VATICAN THE POPE PRESIDING IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE LOOKING PERFECTLY FINE AND WAS SURPRISED WHEN A COUPLE HOURS LATER THE VATICAN SAID HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR PRESCHEDULED MEDICAL TESTS BUT THEN AS RUMORS BUILT LATER THEY SAID HE HAD A RESPIRATORY INFECTION. >> Reporter: AS A YOUNG MAN FRANCIS HAD PART OF ONE LUNG REMOVED WHILE HE WAS A SEMINARIAN IN ARGENTINA SUFFERING FROM PNEUMONIA. KNEE PAIN HAS FORCED HIM TO USE A WHEELCHAIR IN THE PAST YEAR, AND HE UNDERWENT COLON SURGERY IN 2021 WHEN HE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR TEN DAYS. TODAY WHILE MEETING WITH ARGENTINA'S PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TOLD REPORTERS HE HAD JUST HEARD ABOUT THE POPE'S HEALTH ISSUES. THE PRESIDENT, A LIFELONG CATHOLIC, WHO KEEPS A PICTURE OF FRANCIS IN THE OVAL OFFICE TOLD REPORTERS HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MAN HE CALLS A DEAR FRIEND. >> ANNE, AS YOU NOTED, WE'RE NEAR HOLY WEEK. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE POPE'S PUBLIC SCHEDULE? >> Reporter: WE KNOW HE HAS CANCELED ALL HIS MEETINGS TILL FRIDAY, AND THE QUESTION IS, WHAT HAPPENS WITH HOLY WEEK? THE CEREMONIES START ON SUNDAY OR THE SERVICES WITH MASS ON PALM SUNDAY AND GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH EASTER SUNDAY WHEN HE DOES THE BLESSING FOR THE CITY AND THE WORLD, AND THAT IS UP IN THE AIR AT THIS HOUR. LESTER. >> ANNE THOMPSON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>> TWO DAYS AFTER THAT MASS SHOOTING LEFT SIX PEOPLE DEAD AT A NASHVILLE SCHOOL, FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN AMONG THOSE ATTENDING A MEMORIAL SERVICE TONIGHT AFTER VISITING THE SCHOOL AND LEAVING FLOWERS. AS WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VICTIMS AND THOSE WHO RESPONDED, KATHY PARK IS IN NASHVILLE. >> Reporter: NEW IMAGES FROM MONDAY'S MASS SHOOTING IN NASHVILLE SHOW YOUNG CHILDREN RUNNING ACROSS A BUSY ROAD ESCAPING GUNFIRE FROM THE COVENANT SCHOOL. >> I SAW THESE KIDS WERE SCREAMING. THEY WERE CRYING, AND I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS EVEN HAPPENING, BUT I KNEW THAT IT WASN'T GOOD. >> Reporter: HEARING THE GUNSHOTS AND SEEING THE PANIC IN FRONT OF HIM, JASON HOFFMAN KNEW HE HAD TO STOP DRIVING AND HELP THEM GET AWAY BY STOPPING TRAFFIC. IS THERE A MOMENT THAT KIND OF IS SEARED IN YOUR MIND FOREVER? >> THE TEACHER HUGGING THAT LITTLE GIRL BECAUSE ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT WAS MY CHILD IN THAT SAME SPOT. >> Reporter: RUNNING TOWARDS THE GUNFIRE, OFFICER MICHAEL AND REX ENGELBERT 345 MARINE AND FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. OFFICER ENGELBERT'S BROTHER SAYS THAT IS IN THEIR BLOOD. >> OUR MOM ALWAYS TOLD US TO BE BRAVE AND WAS VERY PROUD TO SEE HOW BRAVE HE WAS. >> Reporter: THE TRAGEDY STRIKING ALL CORNERS OF THIS GRIEF-STRICKEN COMMUNITY FROM THE PASTOR WHO KNEW EVELYN DIECKHAUS AND THE 9-YEAR-OLD'S FAMILY. >> SHE IS A SHINING LIGHT. SHE IS JUST AN AMAZING CHILD. >> Reporter: TO THE FIRST LADY OF TENNESSEE LOSING HER FRIEND, CINDY PEAK, A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. >> CINDY WAS SUPPOSED TO COME OVER TO HAVE DINNER WITH MARIA LAST NIGHT. >> Reporter: AMONG THE OTHER VICTIMS, HALLIE SCRUGGS, THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF THE PASTOR AT COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN, MIKE HALL LOVINGLY KNOWN AS BIG MIKE, A FATHER TO SEVEN AND GRANDFATHER TO 14 AND HEADMASTER KATHERINE KOONCE WHO GAVE HER LIFE TO PROTECT THE STUDENTS SHE LOVED. AND TONIGHT A GROWING CROWD FOR A CITYWIDE VIGIL ALL UNITING AMID HEARTACHE WHILE HONORING THE HEROES WHO HELPED STOP THE BLOODSHED. LESTER. >> KATHY PARK, THANK YOU. >>> THE SHOOTING REIGNITING THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER TO TIGHTEN RESTRICTIONS ON GUNS. PRESIDENT BIDEN AMONG THOSE WEIGHING IN. PETER ALEXANDER NOW WITH THAT PART OF THE STORY. >> Reporter: JUST HOURS AFTER GUNFIRE ECHOED THROUGH THAT NASHVILLE SCHOOL, RENEWED PLEAS FOR ACTION. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE TEARS, Y'ALL. >> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN REPEATING HIS CALL TO BAN SO-CALLED ASSAULT WEAPONS. >> WHY IN GOD'S NAME DO WE ALLOW THESE WEAPONS OF WAR ON OUR STREETS AND AT OUR SCHOOLS? >> Reporter: BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW INCLUDING MASS SHOOTING SURVIVOR STEVE SCALISE. >> ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS TAKE GUNS AWAY FROM LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS BEFORE THEY EVEN KNOW THE FACTS. >> Reporter: THE REALITY TONIGHT, ANY GUN LEGISLATION HAS LITTLE CHANCE OF PASSING CONGRESS. >> IF YOU THINK WASHINGTON IS GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, YOU'RE WRONG. >> Reporter: THAT VACUUM HAS LEFT STATES TO TAKE ACTION INCLUDING COLORADO THAT'S WITNESSED MASS SHOOTINGS AT CLUB Q, AURORA, AND COLUMBINE. LAWMAKERS THERE ADVANCING A BILL TO EXPAND RED FLAG LAWS EMPOWERING MORE PEOPLE TO PETITION A JUDGE TO CONFISCATE GUNS FROM THOSE WHO PRESENT A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS. IN ILLINOIS AFTER THAT JULY 4th PARADE SHOOTING, DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS APPROVED AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN THAT NOW FACES LEGAL CHALLENGES, BUT IN FLORIDA LEADING REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING TO ALLOW GUN OWNERS TO CARRY WEAPONS WITHOUT A PERMIT. ANDREW POLLACK'S DAUGHTER MEADOW WAS KILLED BY A TEEN GUNMAN AT FLORIDA'S STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL. HE SAYS WEAPONS BANS ARE NOT THE ANSWER TO STOPPING MASS SHOOTINGS. >> IT'S EASY TO JUST SAY THAT, LET'S JUST BAN RIFLES INSTEAD OF LOOKING INTO THE FAILURES THAT LED UP TO IT. >> Reporter: HE WANTS MORE ARMED SECURITY AT SCHOOLS AND MORE RESTRICTIONS FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. >> DO YOU WANT TO FIX A LOT OF THE SHOOTINGS IN THIS COUNTRY? PREVENT THE MENTALLY ILL FROM BEING ABLE TO PURCHASE THE RIFLE. >> IT REALLY, REALLY, REALLY JUST -- IT JUST PAINS ME TO SEE THAT HERE WE ARE AGAIN. >> Reporter: VANETT'S SON INCREDIBLY SURVIVED AT BUFFALO'S TOPS SUPERMARKET AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE NECK. SHE'S DEMANDING TOUGHER GUN RESTRICTIONS LIKE AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION HERE IN YOUR VIEW? >> IT'S SIMPLY THE GUN. THAT'S THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR LAWMAKERS DON'T WANT TO CALL IT A PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY DON'T CARE. >> AND, PETER, THE PRESIDENT IS OUT OF OPTIONS. >> Reporter: HE'S EFFECTIVELY EXHAUSTED EVERYTHING HE CAN DO ON THIS ISSUE, THAT EXECUTIVE ORDERS HAVE BEEN USED UP AT THIS POINT. IT'S NOW IN THE HANDS OF CONGRESS. TONIGHT LEADING REPUBLICANS SAY IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO TRY TO HAVE A NEW DISCUSSION ABOUT NEW LAWS WITH A NATIONAL INVESTIGATION STILL ONGOING. LESTER. >> PETER ALEXANDER, THANK YOU. GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE. >>> WE'RE TRACKING A MAJOR CROSS-COUNTRY STORM ON THE MOVE. THE POWERFUL SYSTEM BATTERING THE WEST COAST NOW PUSHING EASTWARD. 13 STATES UNDER WINTER WEATHER ALERTS FROM CALIFORNIA TO WISCONSIN. THE THREAT REALLY RAMPS UP FRIDAY WITH 47 MILLION AMERICANS AT RISK OF HIGH WINDS AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES FROM THE MIDWEST TO THE DEEP SOUTH. >>> HERE IN NEW YORK, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY SEVERAL INDICTMENTS AND ARREST WARRANTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AFTER A STRING OF ROBBERIES AND ASSAULTS TARGETING GAY WITH MORE FROM OUR NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION. >> Reporter: NEW YORK CITY'S HELL'S KITCHEN, ONE OF MANHATTAN'S MOST DYNAMIC NEIGHBORHOODS, A FAVORITE SPOT FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, NOW A TARGET, THE NYPD SAYS, FOR THIEVES USING A DEBILITATING AND SOMETIMES DEADLY COCKTAIL OF DRUGS TO STEAL FROM THEIR VICTIMS LIKE 33-YEAR-OLD JOHN UMBERGER. >> HE JUST LOVED THE ENERGY OF THE CITY. >> Reporter: UMBERGER CAME TO NEW YORK LAST SPRING FOR WORK AND FUN. HE ENDED UP HERE AT THE Q. HIS MOTHER SAYS THERE'S SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE OF HIM LEAVING LATE AT NIGHT WITH TWO UNIDENTIFIED MEN. UMBERGER'S BODY WAS DISCOVERED IN THE APARTMENT THAT HE HAD BEEN STAYING IN, AND HIS FAMILY SAYS HIS PHONE AND WALLET WERE GONE, AND ROUGHLY $20,000 HAD BEEN DRAINED FROM HIS ACCOUNT. AT FIRST THE POLICE BELIEVE THE YOUNG POLITICAL CONSULTANT'S DEATH WAS A DRUG OVERDOSE, NOT PART OF THE CRIME. ACCORDING TO UMBERGER'S MOTHER, LINDA CLARY -- >> THE POLICE WANTED TO JUST GO WITH IT WAS GRAND LARCENY, IT WAS JUST A THEFT. >> DID YOU THINK IN THAT MOMENT, YEAH, BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE DRUGS THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE? >> CORRECT. >> Reporter: SHE WAS CONVINCED AFTER HER SISTER SENT HER THIS NBC NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT 25-YEAR-OLD JULIO RAMIREZ. >> SHE JUST SAID, LINDA, THIS IS ODD, BUT YOU NEED TO READ THIS. THIS JUST HAS A WEIRD SIMILARITY. >> Reporter: RAMIREZ WAS FOUND DEAD IN A TAXI AFTER LEAVING THE RITZ BAR AND LOUNGE IN HELL'S KITCHEN LAST APRIL. POLICE SAID HE DIED OF AN APPARENT DRUG OVERDOSE. THE FAMILY TELLS NBC NEWS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WERE STOLEN FROM HIS ACCOUNTS TOO. >> IT BECAME VERY CLEAR THAT THIS WAS RAMPANT WITH MANY VICTIMS AND DIFFERENT GROUPS OR DIFFERENT RINGS DOING THE SAME THING. HOW DO YOU WATCH SOMEONE DIE AND THEN WALK OUT THE DOOR AND START USING THEIR CREDIT CARDS TO DRINK AND EAT? >> Reporter: TONIGHT TEN MONTHS AFTER HER SON'S DEATH, TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE INDICTMENTS. THE D.A. ISSUING ARREST WARRANTS FOR SIX MEN ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN 17 [.█ ROBBERIES, SOME FACING MURDER CHARGES. AND IT DOESN'T STOP THERE. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE TELLS NBC NEWS IT IS INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION OF SEVERAL ADDITIONAL DEATHS IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THE D.A. WOULD NOT COMMENT WHILE THE NYPD SAYS IT IS STILL INVESTIGATING. >> THESE CRIMINALS HAVE REALIZED THAT THEY CAN GO OUT AND VICTIMIZE PEOPLE, GET THEM VERY DRUNK, OR DRUG THEM, AND ACCESS THEIR ONLINE BANKING ACCOUNTS. >> YOU THINK THEY'RE ACTUALLY USING SOMEONE'S FACE WHEN THEY'RE UNCONSCIOUS TO UNLOCK THEIR BANKING APPS? >> YEP. SOMETIMES THEY HOLD THE PHONE UP TO THEIR FACE AND USE THEIR FACE. >> Reporter: STERLING COX SAYS THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS ON HIGH ALERT. >> WHEN PEOPLE COME TO THE FRONT DOOR, WE REMIND THEM, NOT WARN THEM, JUST REMIND THEM TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEIR DRINKS. >> Reporter: FOR LINDA CLARY THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN GAY ADDS TO HER FAMILY'S PAIN. >> TO SEE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PERSECUTED JUST FOR BEING THEMSELVES, TARGETED, JUST REALLY HURTS, AND IT JUST ANGERS ME. IT GRIEVES ME. >> Reporter: SHE IS HOPEFUL HER SON'S STORY WILL BE A WARNING THAT MAY SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES. STEPHANIE GOSK, NBC NEWS, NEW YORK. >>> IN 60 SECONDS, WITH SO MANY CASES OF AIR RAGE, THE NEW EFFORT TO BAN UNRULY PASSENGERS FROM ALL AIRLINES, A NATIONAL NO-FLY LIST RIGHT AFTER THIS. >>> BACK NOW WITH A >>> BACK NOW WITH A PROBLEM WE REPORTED ON SO OFTEN ON THIS PROGRAM, ASSAULTS ABOARD PLANES. CONGRESS IS NOW CONSIDERING A NEW LAW THAT COULD PREVENT DISRUPTIVE PASSENGERS FROM FLYING ON ANY AIRLINE. TOM COSTELLO EXPLAINS. >> THEIR SAFETY HAS TO COME FIRST. >> Reporter: ON THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS CAME TO PLEAD FOR HELP AND TELL THEIR STORIES OF BEING ATTACKED BY PASSENGERS. SOUTHWEST FLIGHT ATTENDANT JENNIFER VITALO. >> I WAS HIT IN THE HID, KNOCKED TO THE GROUND. >> Reporter: CHER TAYLOR FROM FRONTIER AIRLINES WAS TRYING TO STOP AN ASSAULT. >> THE RACIAL SLURS CONTINUED AS PASSENGERS SEPARATED. I'M STILL HAUNTED BY IT. >> Reporter: AMERICAN'S PETE ENRIQUEZ ATTACKED. >> HE GOT IN MY FACE AND SUCKER PUNCHED ME IN THE EYE. >> Reporter: DESPITE AN END TO THE CONTROVERSIAL MASK MANDATE, THE FAA INVESTIGATED 888 CASES OF UNRULY PASSENGERS, MORE THAN TWO A DAY, COMPARED TO 146 IN 2019. MOST RECENTLY A PASSENGER ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO STAB A FLIGHT ATTENDANT IN THE NECK. FAA CHIEF BILLY NOLEN WITH LESTER. >> IF YOU ACT UP IN FLIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO COME AFTER YOU. >> Reporter: WHILE AIRLINES ROUTINELY BAN DISRUPTIVE PASSENGERS, NEW BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE A NATIONAL NO-FLY LIST MANAGED BY THE TSA. A PASSENGER BANNED ON ONE AIRLINE WOULD BE BANNED ON ALL. >> YOU COMMIT VIOLENCE IN THE SKIES, YOU WILL NO LONGER FLY. >> MAKE SURE THOSE PEOPLE CAN NEVER COME ANYWHERE NEAR ANY AIRPORT IN THIS COUNTRY EVER AGAIN. >> Reporter: WHILE THE WHITE HOUSE, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, AND PILOTS UNION SUPPORT A DO-NOT FLY LIST, SOME BUT NOT ALL AIRLINES ARE ON BOARD. THE QUESTION NOW, WILL CONGRESS PASS THE LEGISLATION? LESTER. >> OKAY, TOM, THANK YOU. >>> A NEW THREAT NEXT FROM IMPOSTOR SCAMS USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO CLONE YOUR VOICE IN OUR >>> THE FDA APPROVED TODAY OVER-THE-COUNTER SALES OF THE DRUG NALOXONE, THE DRUG REVERSES OPIOID OVERDOSES. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE NOW WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION AS A NASAL SPRAY UNDER THE NARCAN BRAND NAME. THE FDA COMMISSIONER SAID THE MOVE ADDRESSES WHAT HE CALLED A DIRE PUBLIC HEALTH NEED. >>> ALSO TONIGHT A NEW WARNING FROM ELON MUSK AND OTHERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. MUSK AND MORE THAN A THOUSAND TECH LEADERS AND RESEARCHERS SIGNING A LETTER CALLING FOR A PAUSE ON AI DEVELOPMENT SAYING, IT CAN POSE, QUOTE, PROFOUND RISKS TO SOCIETY AND HUMANITY. THAT WARNING COMING AS CRIMINALS FIND A NEW WAY TO USE AI TO SCAM YOU. HERE'S EMILIE IKEDA. >> Reporter: IT'S A PHONE CALL JOHN BRIDGES WILL NEVER FORGET. >> I SAID, WHAT'S WRONG? SHE SAID, I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND NEED YOUR HELP. >> Reporter: HIS DAUGHTER PANICKED AND CRYING BEFORE ANOTHER VOICE GETS ON THE LINE. >> HE GOES, I'M WANTING TO GIVE YOUR DAUGHTER BACK TO YOU BUT I NEED SOME CASH. >> Reporter: BRIDGES SAID HE DIDN'T END UP GIVING MONEY TO THE SCAMMER THANKS TO HIS WIFE WHO CALLED THEIR ACTUAL DAUGHTER TO CONFIRM SHE WASN'T BEING HELD HOSTAGE, BUT HE GOT CLOSE, EVEN GRABBING CASH FROM HOME AND DRIVING IT TO A MEETUP LOCATION. >> WHEN I FIRST HEARD MY DAUGHTER'S VOICE, I MEAN, IT WAS MY DAUGHTER'S VOICE. IT CONVINCED ME THAT THAT WAS HER. >> Reporter: CALLS LIKE THIS HAVE THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SOUNDING THE ALARM WARNING OF ADVANCING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USED TO SIMULATE SOMEONE'S VOICE IN IMPOSTOR SCAMS, THE MOST COMMONLY REPORTED FRAUD IN 2022 WITH LOSSES JUMPING TO $2.6 BILLION LAST YEAR. >> IT'S CRITICAL THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE THIS TECHNOLOGY IS OUT THERE AND THAT IT'S REALLY VERY GOOD. >> Reporter: VOICE CLONING ISN'T A NEW CONCEPT, BUT IT'S BECOMING MORE ACCESSIBLE, ACCURATE, AND EASIER TO USE THANKS TO AI. CYBERSECURITY EXPERT THIAGO ENRIQUEZ WHO SAYS HE'S SEEING INSURANCE CLAIMS FOR THIS KIND OF FRAUD SHOWED US HOW EASY IT IS. >> WE'LL TRY TO FIND SOME AUDIO SAMPLES OF YOU. >> Reporter: HE PULLED VIDEOS FROM MY SOCIAL MEDIA AND UPLOADED CLIPS TO ONE OF A GROWING NUMBER OF VOICE CLONING PROGRAMS. >> SO IT'S LITERALLY A MATTER OF DRAGGING AND DROPPING AUDIO CLIPS. >> THAT'S IT. >> Reporter: THEN TYPING IN WHAT TO SAY AND WITH THE CLICK OF A BUTTON. >> I ALREADY TRIED TO CALL TO BUREAU. IT WAS WEIRD NO ONE ANSWERED. >> Reporter: COULD I FOOL A COLLEAGUE WITH IT? >> HELLO. >> I WAS SO BUSY, I FORGOT MY CORPORATE CARD. >> OH, NO. >> CAN I BORROW YOURS REAL QUICK? I NEED TO PAY FOR A FEW THINGS AND GET THE RECEIPTS. >> Reporter: IT WASN'T PERFECT. THERE WERE DELAYS AND SOME SENTENCES SOUNDED MORE GENUINE THAN OTHERS BUT -- >> I GOT TO RUN OUT AND GET MY WALLET. >> Reporter: IT WORKED. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. CALL YOU IN A BIT. >> Reporter: MY COLLEAGUE LATER STUNNED BY THE GENERATED AUDIO'S ACCURACY. >> I PRIDE MYSELF ON NEVER FALLING FOR THAT STUFF. >> Reporter: EXPERTS SAY TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T FALL FOR IT, BE SKEPTICAL WHENEVER ASKED FOR MONEY IN ANY FORM. DON'T RELY ON THE CALLER I.D. THOSE CAN BE FAKED, AND EVEN IF IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOVED ONE CALLING, HANG UP AND CALL THE PERSON YOURSELF. >> ARE WE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THIS SORT OF THING? >> I BELIEVE WE ARE. AS THEY GET MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY, WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH IT, HOW TO OPERATE THEM, WE ARE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN SCAM ATTACKS. >> Reporter: NEW TECHNOLOGY REQUIRING NEW LINES OF DEFENSE. EMILIE IKEDA, NBC NEWS, NEW YORK. >>> ALL RIGHT, WE'LL TAKE A BREAK. >>> UP NEXT, HOW A VIETNAM VETERAN'S DOG T >>> IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY THAT THE LAST AMERICAN COMBAT TROOPS LEFT VIETNAM, AND ON THIS NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY, HARRY SMITH HAS THE STORY OF SOMETHING ONE VETERAN LOST ON THE BATTLEFIELD, AND ITS LONG JOURNEY HOME. >> Reporter: THERE WERE FEW PARADES, LITTLE FANFARE, JUST WELCOME HOME FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR THOSE WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM. >> I WAS A RIFLE PLATOON COMMANDER AND THEN A COMPANY COMMANDER IN THE 1st BATTALION 5th MARINE REGIMENT. >> Reporter: LAST FALL FORMER SENATOR JIM WEBB LED A GROUP OF NOTRE DAME STUDENTS TO THAT BATTLEFIELD AND THAT PROVINCE WHERE -- >> MORE THAN 7,000 MARINES HAD LOST THEIR LIVES, AND THEY NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND HOW AND WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO. >> Reporter: WHILE THERE, A LOCAL MAN APPEARED WITH A DOG TAG. PROFESSOR MIKE DASH BOUGHT IT FOR $20. NAME AND RANK, LARRY HUGHES, CORPORAL. WEBB WONDERED. >> WHETHER WE WERE ABLE TO FIND HIM OR HIS FAMILY SO THAT WE COULD PAY OUR RESPECTS TO THEM. >> Reporter: THEY DID. >> I WAS LIKE, OH, THIS HAS GOT TO BE SOME KIND OF A SCAM. IT DOESN'T SOUND REAL. >> Reporter: CARL HUGHES WAS WARY. HIS AUNT PATRICIA BROKE DOWN IN TEARS. >> I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. I SAID, ARE YOU SERIOUS? CORPORAL LARRY HUGHES WAS CARL'S DAD, PATRICIA HUGHES HIS SISTER. >> IT TOOK ME WAY BACK IN TIME AS A TEENAGE GIRL, AND MY BROTHER'S GONE. WE DON'T KNOW IF HE'S GOING TO COME HOME. >> Reporter: CORPORAL HUGHES DID COME HOME TO NORTHERN FLORIDA BUT PASSED AWAY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. CARL SAID HIS DAD NEVER SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT VIETNAM, YET -- >> I JOINED THE MARINES, AS WELL, JUST LIKE HIM, WANTED TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS. >> Reporter: AS DID PATRICIA'S SON. >> HE SERVED IN IRAQ. I WAS WITH THE MARINE CORPS PARENTS BECAUSE WE SAID WE WILL NEVER LET OUR SONS BE TREATED LIKE THEY TREATED THE VIETNAM VETS. >> RIGHT. >> Reporter: PATRICIA SAID HER BROTHER WOULD CHANGE OUT OF HIS UNIFORM WHEN HE CAME HOME TO AVOID THE STARES AND HATEFUL WORDS OF SOME CIVILIANS. HE HAD THE DOG TAG FRAMED ALONG WITH CORPORAL HUGHES' MILITARY RIBBONS AND A CEREMONY HELD TO HONOR HIS SERVICE. >> THE RECOGNITION FOR THE VIETNAM VETS, YOU COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR ANYTHING ANY BETTER. >> Reporter: FULFILLING THE MARINE MOTTO, SEMPER FIDELIS, SEMPER FI, ALWAYS FAITHFUL. HARRY SMITH, NBC NEWS, LAND O' LAKES, FLORIDA. >>> AND THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS." THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. I'M LESTER HOLT. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF