We have already witnessed deepfake videos featuring celebrities such as Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Cruise and many other celebrities and politicians. While some thought it was interesting, others worried about the implications as deepfake technology continues to advance.
Well, now it looks like deepfake videos are being used as part of an online fraud scheme. In a recent incident, a man from India fell victim to such a scam and lost 40,000 rupees (about $490).
The scammer even mentioned the names of several other former colleagues to strengthen his story. In a phone call, the scammer asked Radhakrishnan to provide her 40,000 rupees as emergency aid to his relatives in hospital.
Deepfake video scams can happen more often than you think
Not long ago, in Baotou, China, scammers used AI-powered face-swapping technology during a video call to impersonate a victim’s close friend and convince them to transfer 4.3 million yuan (over $600,000). Did.
What exactly is a deepfake video?
Deepfake videos are AI-generated videos that portray others convincingly, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake videos. By using AI technology to analyze and process data such as facial images and voice recordings, it becomes easier to create realistic deepfake videos that faithfully mimic human appearance and voice.
How can I protect myself from deepfake video calls?
With AI advancing rapidly and the law struggling to keep up, it’s important to be aware of how to recognize deepfake videos. Important points to consider are:
- Video Quality: Deepfake videos are usually of lower quality. If the suspicious video is from an online source, check for watermarks or other signs that it may have been stolen.
- Loops and Cuts: Many fake videos either loop back at the beginning after a certain amount of time, or stop abruptly at the end without properly ending the video call.
- Video resizing: When someone makes a fake video call, they often resize the video to fit the webcam window or the app they’re using. This resizing will distort the aspect ratio of your video, so make sure your face isn’t overly widened or stretched.
- Contacts: Is the person calling you in your Contacts? If not, carefully consider whether the name means anything to you or if you know someone think about it
- What it is: If the video call is from someone you know and the contact details are accurate, but you still feel uncomfortable, consider what the video is about. Does the person claiming to call you actually say this or ask them about things that only the two of you know, such as shared memories?
