ScamBuster

A Florida businessman joined what he thought was a normal video call with his company’s CEO. The voice was the same, the mannerisms matched, and the urgent request for a wire transfer seemed legitimate. By the time the truth surfaced, $200,000 had been stolen. The entire call was a deepfake. Deepfake scams are the newest frontier in fraud. Criminals use AI-powered tools to generate realistic videos and voices that are nearly impossible to distinguish from the real thing. Unlike old phishing emails full of spelling errors, these deepfakes appear polished and professional. The danger is not limited to businesses. Families report receiving video calls from relatives asking for money. Social media users are duped into investing in fake schemes promoted by what looks like celebrities or influencers. In reality, their likeness is stolen and animated by scammers. Prevention starts with skepticism. If a video call includes urgent financial requests, verify identity through another channel. Companies can use code words or internal checks to prevent rushed transfers. Individuals should confirm with family before sending money, no matter how real the plea appears. The FBI’s IC3 center warns that deepfake cases are climbing rapidly. Awareness is critical. Technology may make scams harder to spot, but slowing down and double-checking can still stop them.