A deep dive into deepfake scams: What they are and how they work

You pick up a call from your boss asking for an urgent wire transfer. The voice is unmistakable—same tone, same cadence, same sense of pressure. The only problem? It’s not them. It’s a deepfake.

Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), cybercriminals can now clone anyone’s face or voice in minutes—your boss, your mom, your partner, even you. These scams don’t bother with broken English or grainy Photoshop. They weaponize trust, targeting your emotions and your wallet with fakes that are nearly impossible to spot.

In this deep dive into deepfake scams, we’ll unpack how these attacks actually work, why even smart, tech-savvy people are falling for them, and what this next generation of fraud means for your money, your identity, and your ability to tell what’s real anymore.

What is a deepfake?

All it takes is a handful of photos or a few seconds of your voice posted online, and scammers can create a believable fake persona, a doctored “live” video, or a voice call that sounds just like someone you know.

Examples of deepfakes:

• A video of a celebrity or CEO endorsing a crypto investment—something they never actually did.
• A “live” video call from a romantic interest on a dating app, using AI to animate a stolen profile photo.
• Fake nudes or revenge porn, created from innocent social media selfies.

Why do scammers use deepfakes? Because credibility drives action. A familiar face or voice is the ultimate shortcut for trust—especially when the message tugs at your emotions, whether it’s romance, family, or crisis.

How AI has changed romance scams

Just a year ago, most deepfake scam news focused on politicians or celebrities. Now, anyone with a social profile is a potential target. AI face generators are everywhere, and voice cloning takes less than three seconds of audio—think Instagram® stories or TikTok® clips. Real-time deepfake video calls are getting easier to run. Even “beauty filters” can mask a scammer’s identity during a video chat.

The result: Scammers can spin up dozens of fake romantic profiles in minutes, each powered by AI-generated photos, videos, and voices. They groom their victims, cultivating trust and emotional dependence before springing a crisis—or an “investment opportunity”—that turns affection into financial loss.

Recent deepfake statistics:

• Fraud attempts involving deepfakes increased by 2,137% over the past three years.¹
• A Europol report estimates that 90% of online content will be AI-generated by 2026.²
• The Deloitte Center for Financial Services forecasts fraud losses in the U.S. facilitated by generative AI will climb from $12.3 billion in 2023 to $40 billion by 2027 (CAGR 32%).³
• In a recent study, only 24.5% of high-quality deepfake videos were identified by humans, with 70% of people unable to distinguish cloned voices from real ones.⁴
• After an estimated 500,000 deepfakes were shared across social media platforms in 2023, that number is projected to skyrocket to 8 million by 2025.⁵
• Family & Friend imposter scams are at a quarterly all-time high with 10,549 reports in Q3 2025; 30% resulted in loss with a median value of $750 per victim.⁶

• Romance scams continue to soar, up from 15,931 to 18,888 reports year-over-year (+18.56%) with a 60% loss rate; the median loss value was $2,218 for a combined total loss of $398 million in Q3 2025 alone.⁶

How deepfake scams work: A step-by-step timeline

Ever wonder how a deepfake scam actually unfolds? Here’s the typical playbook:

1. Create a fake AI persona: The scammer scrapes social media for photos, voice clips, and biographical details to generate a convincing fake identity.
2. Engage on a dating app: You’re matched with someone who seems almost too perfect—and they’re quick to move the conversation off-platform.
3. Show controlled deepfake video: They send video messages or “go live” using AI, dodging any requests for spontaneous interaction.
4. Groom for emotional trust: Over days or weeks, they build rapport, confide in you, and create a sense of intimacy.
5. Introduce a crisis or investment: Suddenly, there’s an emergency, or a can’t-miss crypto opportunity—always urgent, always emotional.
6. Financial extraction or sextortion: They ask for money, gifts, or sensitive photos. In some cases, they use deepfakes for blackmail.
7. Sudden disappearance or blackmail: After getting what they want, the scammer vanishes—or threatens to release fake compromising media.

Deepfake scams are fast, convincing, and emotionally manipulative. Recognizing the timeline is the first step to staying safe.

How to spot a deepfake

• Unnatural blinking: Deepfakes often struggle with human blinking patterns—watch for odd timing or mechanical movements.
• Shadow and lighting issues: Glitches, inconsistent shadows, or lighting that doesn’t match the background are classic giveaways.
• Mouth movements out of sync: Pay attention if the lips don’t quite match the words.
• Static poses: The person barely moves, or the background never changes.
• No background noise variation: Audio is too clean, or the ambient sounds never shift.

• Excuses to avoid spontaneous video calls: “My camera’s broken” or “bad connection” is a red flag—especially if it’s every time.
• Fixed call times only: They always want to video chat at the same time, never at random.
• Steering away from verification: They redirect or deflect any attempts to prove their identity.
• Unusually formal or perfect messages: Long, grammatically perfect texts that sound scripted or impersonal.

Why deepfake technology is so convincing

We’re wired to trust faces and voices—especially in moments of loneliness or vulnerability.

Scammers exploit this with AI tools that accelerate emotional intimacy and build parasocial relationships (one-sided bonds with someone you’ve never met). Psychology plays a role, too: we tend to believe what we want to be true, and deepfakes use that bias against us.

Surveys show that younger adults, despite high digital literacy, are often less confident in their ability to spot deepfake scams. The tech is evolving faster than most people’s ability to recognize the red flags.

How to protect against deepfake scams

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  Request spontaneous video chats: Ask for a quick call right now—no time to prep, no chance to use a pre-recorded fake.

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  Use multiple verification steps: Ask for a selfie with a specific gesture or today’s date, or a voice note saying a unique phrase.

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  Don’t invest based on online-only relationships: If you haven’t met them in person, don’t send money or crypto.

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  Don’t share audio or video clips early: The less material a scammer can scrape, the harder it is to fake you.

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  Freeze credit and monitor identity: Use identity monitoring services to catch fraud early.

What to do if you suspect a deepfake attack

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  Stop all communication: Don’t respond or send more information.

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  Don’t share more photos or audio: Every new clip gives scammers more material.

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  Save evidence: Screenshot messages, save videos, and document everything.

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  Report on the platform: Flag the scammer on the app or website where you met.

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  Report to authorities: File with the FTC or IC3 if you're in the U.S.

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  If money is lost: Contact your bank immediately and follow recovery steps.

Don’t let love—or loneliness—cost you

You can’t always outsmart a deepfake. But you can out-protect one. OmniWatch offers a digital safety net for when the worst happens:

• Identity and dark web monitoring: Be alerted if your data, images, or voice turn up where they shouldn’t.
• Expert fraud recovery support: If you’re scammed, OmniWatch’s team will help you recover your security and your peace of mind.
• Scam insurance: Get reimbursed if you’re tricked into a fraudulent transfer. OmniWatch Elite plan’s industry-leading coverage includes up to $25,000 in scam protection insurance that may help to cover losses from social engineering scams (Exclusions and limitations apply).

Stay vigilant, trust your instincts, and let OmniWatch handle the rest. Because when reality is this easy to fake, real protection matters more than ever.

Ready to take control of your digital safety?

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