September 21, 2026
Deepfakes Are Changing What Fraud Looks and Sounds Like
Security
FDIC-Insured – Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
FDIC-Insured – Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
FDIC-Insured – Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
Fraud does not need artificial intelligence to be convincing. A recent jury-duty scam documented by The Wall Street Journal cost one family $25,000 using personal information, authority and sustained pressure alone.
Deepfakes add another layer. AI-generated or manipulated audio, video and images can imitate real people and make a fraudulent request look—or sound—legitimate.
Technology is changing the presentation, but the objective is familiar. Criminals are trying to establish trust and persuade you to act.
In one widely reported case, a finance employee in Hong Kong joined a video conference that appeared to include several company executives. The participants were deepfake recreations. Believing the request was legitimate, the employee authorized transfers totaling more than $25 million. The case showed how video itself can become part of the deception.
Voice cloning can make family-emergency scams considerably more convincing. Scammers have used AI-generated voices to imitate family members in distress and demand immediate payment. The FBI has also warned that criminals are altering publicly available photos and videos to create fake “proof of life” in virtual-kidnapping schemes.
Deepfakes are also appearing in investment scams. The FBI reports that scammers use AI-generated video and voices of celebrities, CEOs and other recognizable figures to create fraudulent endorsements, investment opportunities and video interactions. In 2025, investment complaints with a reported AI connection accounted for more than $632 million in losses.
A familiar face, voice, or video can support a story without proving who is behind it. Use TRB’s Fraud Prevention Resource Center to review practical ways to pause, verify, and protect before you act.
Learn MoreDo not make the appearance itself your verification.
A Simple Reminder
Deepfakes make fraud more convincing because they imitate evidence we instinctively trust, a face, a voice, or a familiar person on screen. You do not have to become an expert at spotting every deepfake. Verify the request outside the communication that created it.
Deepfakes make fraud more convincing because they imitate evidence we instinctively trust, a face, a voice, or a familiar person on screen. You do not have to become an expert at spotting every deepfake. Verify the request outside the communication that created it.
