Deepfake impersonation

Deepfake impersonation uses AI-made video or voice that copies a real person, like a relative or boss, to pressure you into paying.

Deepfake impersonation: Deepfake impersonation is a fraud where criminals use AI to copy a real person's face or voice in a video or audio call. The fake person asks for money, secrets or an urgent favour. It works because we trust familiar faces and voices.

A parent gets a call in a child's voice, crying that they are in trouble and need money. An employee gets a video call from a "manager" asking for an urgent transfer. A short clip of someone's real voice from social media is often enough to copy it. Quality is not perfect, but a bad line or a tense moment hides the flaws.

Slow the situation down. Hang up and call the person back on their known number. Ask a question only the real person would know, or use a family code word. Be careful about money requests arriving with panic, secrecy or a new account. Keep your public videos and voice clips limited, and check settings so only friends can see them.

Tips

• Hang up and call the person back on the number you already have.
• Agree a family code word for any urgent money request.
• Share fewer public voice and video clips of yourself and your family.

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