The Alarming Rise of Deepfake Scams: What You Need to Know
The world of fraud is evolving rapidly, and at the forefront of this transformation is a disturbing and increasingly sophisticated technology: deepfakes.
According to a recent bulletin from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, there has been a surge in reports where scammers are using deepfake technology to impersonate politicians, celebrities, and even news anchors. These fabricated videos, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), can be incredibly realistic, manipulating both audio and visuals to create the illusion that a trusted public figure is endorsing investment platforms, merchandise, or apps.
At The Smith Investigation Agency Inc., based in Canada with teams in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, we stay ahead of the curve by closely monitoring fraud trends. In this blog, we’ll break down what deepfakes are, how they’re being used by cybercriminals to deceive the public, warning signs to watch for, and how our team of private investigators can help protect you, your brand, or your business from this emerging threat.
What Are Deepfakes?
Deepfakes use AI and machine learning algorithms to alter or generate video and audio, often replacing the face or voice of one person with that of another. While artificial intelligence has brought incredible advancements to tools like AI chatbots and image generators such as Midjourney, it has also enabled cybercriminals to weaponize misinformation.
With minimal effort, scammers can now create convincing fake videos of recognizable figures saying or doing things they never actually said or did, leading to false narratives, crypto scams, identity theft, and reputation damage.
What Does a Deepfake Look Like?
If you’ve never seen a deepfake in action, here’s an example to demonstrate how convincing these videos can be, even when you’re watching closely.
Deepfake Example Video:Anderson Cooper, 4K Original/(Deep)Fake Example by LipSynthesis
In this video, Anderson Cooper appears to be speaking directly to viewers in a news segment—but the footage is a deepfake. The voice and tone sound authentic, but if you pay close attention, you may notice slight lag in the mouth movements or subtle inconsistencies in facial expressions. These glitches can be easy to miss, especially for individuals with visual impairments or when the video is viewed on a small screen.
This example highlights how deepfakes can easily pass as real, especially when shared on social media or messaging apps without context. As technology continues to evolve, it’s becoming even harder to detect these fakes at a glance.
That’s why awareness, education, and expert support are key in today’s digital age.
Real-World Examples of Deepfake Scams
(Illustrative Scenarios Based on Current Fraud Trends)
1. The Celebrity Crypto Scam
A fake video began circulating on social media featuring a well-known Canadian actor “endorsing” a cryptocurrency investment platform. In the video, the actor claims to have doubled his money and urges fans to act fast before the opportunity disappears. Everything from his voice to his facial expressions seems real, but the actor never made the video. Viewers who believed the endorsement clicked through to a fraudulent website, deposited money, and never saw a return.
2. The Politician’s “Urgent Announcement”
Another case involved a fabricated video of a prominent provincial politician warning of an economic crash and promoting a “safe” investment solution. The video went viral within hours and preyed on viewers’ fears during an already volatile market. Several victims transferred thousands of dollars to a scammer-controlled account, believing the politician’s message was legitimate.
Disclaimer: These examples are fictionalized scenarios created for educational purposes. While inspired by real fraud tactics reported by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, they do not reference specific individuals or confirmed cases in Canada.
How to Spot a Deepfake
Identifying a deepfake can be challenging, but there are several warning signs:
Out-of-Character Statements: If a public figure promotes something inconsistent with their usual stance, be skeptical.
Unnatural Facial Movements: Watch for robotic blinking, mismatched mouth movements, or stiff expressions.
Inconsistent Lighting or Shadows: These often indicate video manipulation.
Audio Irregularities: Disconnected timing or synthetic tones may signal AI-generated audio.
Too Good to Be True? Most scams rely on sensational content and urgency to lure victims.
Protecting Yourself and Your Business
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recommends the following protective measures:
Always verify before trusting. Scrutinize endorsements—especially in videos—by cross-checking with official channels.
Validate investment firms. Use trusted tools like aretheyregistered.ca to verify company legitimacy.
Be cautious online. Avoid clicking suspicious video links on platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram.
Secure your brand. If you or your company are active publicly, monitor social media for impersonation attempts.
Use surveillance tools. Proper security cameras and background checks can also help prevent fraud on your premises.