To obtain money, scammers create deepfakes – fake audio and video. They call the victim, who is convinced they are talking to an acquaintance or even a relative.
Learning to recognise deepfakes.Fake video:
- unnatural facial expressions: overly smooth or abrupt facial movements;
- lips not moving in sync with speech;
- infrequent blinking or its complete absence;
- distorted image around the face: blurred edges, hair, or ears;
- face and background are lit differently;
- strange eyes: no glare or reflections, pupils not reacting to light;
- mismatch of emotions: the face is smiling, but the voice sounds aggressive.
Fake voice:
- robotic, metallic, or "synthesized" sound;
- unnatural pauses, overly even intonation, or abrupt changes in it;
- background noise, sudden interference, or distortions;
- no breathing or other sounds, the voice is clear, without natural noises.
What to do if you have doubts?
Hang up and call the person back yourself to find out if they are actually asking for money. Alternatively, you can ask the interlocutor a question that a scammer cannot know the answer to.
Pay attention to strange movements, distortions in the image, and the voice.
Do not give in to pressure – scammers often rush you to make a decision: "Transfer urgently!"
If you have any suspicions, hang up immediately!