These days, scammers don’t just make fake promises—they make fake people! With AI tools, fraudsters can now create hyper-realistic audio and video that looks and sounds just like your loved ones. But don’t worry, we’re here to show you how to spot the scams before they get personal.
Deepfake scams use AI to create fake images, videos, or audio of people you know, tricking you into handing over money or personal information. This new tactic has already slipped into areas like financial transactions and emotional distress calls, making it more important than ever to stay vigilant.
How It Works
- Imitating Loved Ones: Using social media photos or videos, scammers create convincing audio or video clips that look and sound like a trusted person asking for help.
- Financial Deception in Business: Deepfakes can also mimic company executives, leading employees to send money to scammers posing as the boss.
- Fake KYC (Know Your Customer) Verification: In the financial sector, fraudsters use deepfake photos to manipulate identity checks, tricking banks into thinking they’re a legitimate customer.
Who’s Targeted?
Deepfake scams target anyone with a digital footprint—especially people who share lots of media on social platforms. Financial institutions, companies with remote employees, and individuals who rely on calls for urgent messages are also at risk.
Real-Life Example
According to Sridhar Tirumala, Co-CEO of Jukshio, around 3% of KYC fraud cases now involve deepfakes. Imagine getting a call from a loved one who looks and sounds genuine, pleading for financial help. Without a second thought, many people have transferred funds, only to find out later that the entire call was fake.
Why You Should Care
Deepfake scams are both emotionally and financially devastating. Imagine sending thousands of dollars, thinking you’re helping a loved one, only to find out it was all a digital illusion. Understanding these tactics is critical to protect your money, your privacy, and your peace of mind.
Protecting Yourself from Deepfake Scams
- Check for Video/Audio Mismatches: Watch for lags between audio and video. Long pauses or awkward moments are red flags.
- Verify Suspicious Calls: Take a moment to confirm with another trusted source if you receive a distress call from a friend or family member asking for immediate money.
- Use Detection Tools: Invest in or use free deepfake detection tools to verify suspicious media.
- Limit Personal Sharing: Make social media accounts private, and be cautious about sharing personal media that could be used to create a deepfake.
- Request Official Follow-Ups: If someone claims to represent a company, ask them to follow up from an official company email or website.
Quick Tips for Staying Safe
- Did you know? Deepfakes often have a slight audio-video lag, or even unnatural eye movements—watch for these clues!
- Pro Tip: If in doubt, verify the person’s identity through a different channel, like a separate call or message.
Key Terms Defined
- Deepfake: AI-generated media that manipulates a person’s likeness to create fake but realistic videos, photos, or audio.
- KYC (Know Your Customer): A process where banks verify customer identities, often vulnerable to deepfake manipulation.
- AI (Artificial Intelligence): Technology used to create intelligent systems, like deepfake generators that mimic real people.
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