Spotting deepfakes and AI scams
AI can now create deepfakes: fake videos, photos and voices that look and sound like real people. Most uses are harmless fun, but scammers use them too.
Common AI scams
- The cloned-voice call: “Mummy, I’ve had an accident, send money now!” A short clip from social media is enough to copy someone’s voice.
- The fake celebrity ad: a video of a famous person “recommending” an investment app or a miracle cure.
- The fake officer: a video call from someone in “uniform” claiming you’re under investigation and must pay to clear your name. Real police and agencies don’t demand money over a video call.
- The perfect phishing message: AI writes flawless, personalised messages, so good spelling no longer means a message is genuine.
Signs something may be fake
In videos and photos:
- Odd blinking, stiff faces, or lips slightly out of sync with the words
- Strange hands, teeth, earrings or glasses
- Blurry edges around the face, or lighting that doesn’t match
In calls and messages:
- Urgency and secrecy: “Don’t tell anyone, do it right now.”
- Unusual payment requests: UPI to an unknown ID, gift cards, crypto
- Emotional pressure: fear, panic, excitement
Detection tricks will keep getting harder as the tech improves. The best defence is a habit, not a sharp eye.
Habits that beat deepfakes
- Pause. Scams depend on panic. Taking 5 minutes breaks the spell.
- Call back on a number you already have saved, not the one that called you.
- Set a family code word that only your family knows, for emergencies.
- Never share OTPs, PINs or screen access, whoever is asking.
- Check big news on official websites or trusted news outlets before believing or sharing it.
If it happens to you
In India, call the cybercrime helpline 1930 quickly (the sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping a payment) and report at cybercrime.gov.in. Tell your bank straight away too.
Check yourself
You get a panicked call in your son's voice asking for money urgently. What's the best first step?
A message has perfect spelling and uses your name. Does that mean it's genuine?
Which is a strong family defence against voice-clone scams?
You've been tricked into paying a scammer in India. Who should you contact quickly?
Go deeper
- Official Report cyber fraud (or call 1930) ↗ · Ministry of Home Affairs
- Official Sanchar Saathi: report fraud calls ↗ · Department of Telecommunications
- Official BE(A)WARE: how financial frauds work ↗ · Reserve Bank of India
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