category: scam-tactics

The Growing Threat of Deepfake Video Calls in Dating App Scams

Hello there, lovely reader! It's me, your friendly safety expert, here to chat about something new and a little scary in the world of online dating and scams. We're going to talk about "deepfake" video calls. For more on this topic, see our red flags in online dating spotting scammers early.

Deepfake video calls are a new trick scammers use to fool you on dating apps. They create fake videos of people that look and sound real, making you believe you're talking to a genuine person. This helps them build trust much faster before they start asking you for money. It's a sneaky way to pretend to be someone they're not.

What exactly is a "deepfake" video call?

Imagine someone wearing a very clever, high-tech mask that not only looks like a real person but also moves its lips and changes expressions perfectly. That's a bit like what a deepfake is. It's a video created by computers that makes it seem like someone is talking to you, but it's not truly them.

These deepfake videos are made using powerful computer programs and something called "Artificial Intelligence," or AI for short. AI is like a super-smart computer brain that can learn to do many things, including mimicking a person's face and voice. Scammers feed these programs lots of pictures and videos of a real person, and the AI then creates new video of that person saying or doing whatever the scammer wants. It's truly a digital puppet show.

So, when you're on a video call with a scammer using a deepfake, you might see a face that looks perfectly real, talking right to you. But it's not the real person; it's a computer-generated image made to trick you. The goal is to make you feel a strong connection, so you trust them more and more, thinking you've finally found someone special. They're designed to look so convincing that it can be very hard to tell the difference, especially if you're not expecting such a trick.

Why are scammers using deepfakes now?

For a long time, one of the biggest ways to spot a romance scammer was that they would never get on a video call. They always had an excuse: "my camera is broken," "I'm in a remote area," or "my internet is too slow." This made many people suspicious, and rightfully so! Smart individuals started demanding video calls to prove someone was real.

But scammers are always looking for new ways to get around our defenses. They noticed that people were getting wiser to their old tricks. If they couldn't show their real face, they'd simply invent one that looked real. Deepfakes give scammers the ability to "show" themselves without actually revealing who they are. This removes a big red flag that many people used to rely on.

Think of it like this: if you were meeting someone new, you'd want to see their face, right? Scammers know this. By using deepfakes, they can pretend to be the attractive, trustworthy person they claim to be in their profile pictures, making it much harder for you to question their identity. This helps them build a fake relationship faster, making you feel emotionally attached before they reveal their true, hurtful intentions, which usually involve asking for money. It's a powerful tool for deception in their emotional manipulation timelines. For more on this topic, see our romance scammers understanding their manipulation timeline.

How can you spot a deepfake video call?

Spotting a deepfake can be tricky because they are designed to look real. However, even the best deepfakes often have little glitches or things that just don't feel quite right. Your gut feeling is very important here, so pay close attention to any odd sensations.

🚩 Red flag: Look closely at their eyes. Do they blink naturally, or do they seem to stare a lot? Sometimes, deepfake eyes can look a bit "off" or not quite focused. Also, watch their face for unusual movements. Does their head move in a stiff or unnatural way? Sometimes, the edges of their face might look a little blurry or pixelated, like a bad photocopy, while the rest of the image is clear.

🚩 Red flag: Listen carefully to their voice. Does it sound robotic or monotone? Does the sound seem to cut in and out strangely, even if your internet connection is good? One big giveaway is when the audio and video don't quite sync up. Their lips might move a fraction of a second before you hear the words, or vice-versa. This is like watching a poorly dubbed movie where the words don't match the mouth movements.

🚩 Red flag: They might avoid certain requests. If you ask them to wave, touch their nose, or turn their head sharply, a deepfake might struggle to perform these natural actions smoothly. They might pause strangely or respond with an excuse. A real person can do these things easily and naturally. If they always seem to have a reason why they can't do something simple you ask, that's a big warning sign. You can also try asking them to hold up a specific number of fingers or read something from their background.

💡 Tip: Trust your instincts. If something feels "off" or too good to be true, it probably is. Don't dismiss those little doubts.

What do scammers want when they use deepfakes?

Scammers use deepfakes for the same reason they use any other trick: to get something from you, usually your money. They invest time and effort into creating these convincing fake identities to build a strong emotional connection with you. They know that if you believe you're truly connecting with someone, you'll be more likely to help them when they "need" it.

They will often tell you a sad story or create an urgent "emergency" that only you can help with. This might be a sudden medical bill for a family member, a business opportunity that needs quick cash, or travel expenses to finally come and meet you. They might ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, which are very hard to trace once sent. They'll make you feel guilty if you don't help, playing on your kindness and the bond they've pretended to build. You can learn more about how they exploit loneliness in romance scams by reading our article: Romance Scammers Exploit Loneliness: Stay Safe Online.

Beyond money, scammers might also be after your personal information. If they gain your trust, they might ask for details like your full name, address, birth date, or even bank account information. They could use this information to steal your identity, open credit cards in your name, or gain access to your other online accounts. This is why being careful about what you share, even with someone you think you know, is so important. The AARP Fraud Watch Network has excellent resources on protecting yourself from identity theft, which is a common goal of these fraudsters. You can find more information and report scams to the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

How do dating apps try to protect you?

Dating apps are aware of scammers and are constantly trying to improve their security. Many apps have features like photo verification, where you take a selfie to prove your profile picture is really you. Some apps even have video chat features built right into them, which can sometimes be a safer environment than moving to an outside app like WhatsApp or Telegram.

However, deepfake technology is very new and constantly changing. It's a challenge for dating apps to keep up with these advanced tricks. While they might have systems to catch fake photos or suspicious messages, detecting a deepfake video in real-time is much harder. This means that while dating apps do their best, they can't catch every single scammer, especially those using sophisticated tools like deepfakes.

Ultimately, while dating apps provide a platform, a big part of staying safe online falls to us, the users. It's like driving a car; the car has safety features, but you still need to be a careful driver. We need to be aware of the new dangers, like deepfakes, and know how to protect ourselves. This is especially true for older adults, who are often targeted by these scams. Our article, Romance Scams: Protecting Elderly from Online Predators, provides more insights into this critical issue.

What should you do if you suspect a deepfake?

If you're on a video call and something just doesn't feel right, or you notice any of the red flags we talked about, it's crucial to act immediately. Don't second-guess yourself or feel embarrassed; your safety is what matters most.

Here are some steps you should take:

• End the call immediately. There's no need to politely explain or continue the conversation. Just hang up.
• Block the person. Prevent them from contacting you again on the dating app or any other platform.
• Report the profile. Use the reporting tools on the dating app to tell them about your suspicions. This helps the app investigate and potentially remove the scammer, protecting others.
• Talk to a trusted friend or family member. Share your experience. Sometimes, just talking it through with someone else can help you process what happened and confirm your suspicions.
• Don't send any money or personal information. If you haven't already, make sure you don't send anything they've asked for. If they've already asked, consider it a clear sign of a scam.

Always remember that if someone you've only met online asks you for money, it's almost always a scam. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a great resource for reporting scams and getting advice. You can report scams and learn more at FTC Consumer Advice. Even if you feel a strong connection, a real person who cares about you wouldn't put you in a tough financial spot.

How can Catfish Bait help you stay safe?

At Catfish Bait, we understand how heartbreaking and confusing these scams can be. We're here to help you protect your heart and your wallet. Even with deepfake videos becoming more common, our tools can still be incredibly useful in uncovering the truth. We empower you with ways to check if the person you're talking to is truly who they say they are.

For example, even if a scammer uses a deepfake video, they usually still use stolen photos for their profile picture or to send to you outside of video calls. Our reverse image search tool can take those pictures and search the internet to see if they belong to someone else. If the "person" you're talking to is actually a model, an actor, or just a random person whose photos were stolen, our tool can often find that out. This is a powerful way to unmask a scammer, even if their video calls seem convincing. You can learn more about this in our article: Unmasking Romance Scammers: The Power of Reverse Image Search.

We also have an AI message analysis tool. Scammers often use similar phrases and tactics in their messages, and our AI can help detect these patterns. Even if they use a deepfake video, their written messages might still show signs of scammer language or manipulation. Combining these tools can give you a much clearer picture. You can Start a free investigation with Catfish Bait to get peace of mind. We believe in gentle ways to check someone's true self, as discussed in our article: Verify Identity Online: Gentle Ways to Check Someone's True Self.

Here's a quick comparison to help you understand the differences:

| Feature | Real Video Call | Deepfake Video Call |
| :---------------- | :----------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- |
| Facial Movement | Natural, fluid expressions, blinks normally. | Stiff, robotic, unnatural blinks, sometimes blurry. |
| Eye Contact | Direct, natural gaze, looks around naturally. | Fixed stare, eyes might not track naturally. |
| Audio/Video Sync| Perfect match between words and lip movement. | Slight delay, words don't quite match mouth. |
| Voice Quality | Clear, natural tone, normal pauses. | Robotic, monotone, inconsistent volume, strange pauses. |
| Responding to Tasks| Easily performs simple requests (e.g., wave). | Might pause, make excuses, or struggle with tasks. |
| Lighting/Background| Natural lighting, consistent background. | Unnatural lighting, inconsistent background elements. |

What are the most important things to remember?

Staying safe online, especially when looking for love, means being smart and a little bit cautious. It's not about being suspicious of everyone, but about being aware of the tricks that scammers use. Your safety and peace of mind are always the top priority.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Never rush into a relationship online. Scammers often try to speed things up, telling you they love you very quickly. Take your time to get to know someone.
• Be wary of anyone who asks you for money, no matter how convincing their story or video call. A real connection doesn't involve financial requests. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) consistently warns about the financial losses associated with romance scams. You can report scams to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
• Use the tools available to you. Our Catfish Bait's investigation tools can give you an extra layer of protection.
• Trust your gut. If something feels off, even slightly, pay attention to that feeling. It's often your brain telling you to be careful.
• Protect your personal information. Never share sensitive details like your bank account number, social security number, or passwords with anyone you've only met online.

It's a shame that we have to be so careful, but knowing about these threats, like deepfakes, gives you the power to protect yourself. Stay vigilant, stay smart, and remember that real love doesn't come with a price tag or a computer-generated face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can deepfakes be perfect and completely undetectable?

While deepfake technology is getting better, it's not usually perfect, especially in real-time video calls. There are often small glitches in movement, unnatural blinking, or audio-visual delays that can give them away. Scammers often use lower-quality deepfakes that are easier to spot if you know what to look for.

Do scammers only use deepfakes for money?

No, while money is the primary goal for most romance scammers, deepfakes can also be used for other malicious purposes. They might try to gather your personal information for identity theft, or even create fake intimate videos for blackmail, known as sextortion. It's about gaining trust to exploit you in various ways.

What if I already sent money to someone I suspect used a deepfake?

If you've already sent money, it's crucial to act quickly. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately to report the fraud. Also, file a report with the dating app, the FTC, and the FBI's IC3. Don't be ashamed; these scammers are very skilled at manipulation.

Is it my fault if I fall for a deepfake scam?

Absolutely not. Scammers are professional manipulators who use advanced technology and psychological tricks to exploit people's emotions. Falling victim to a deepfake scam is not your fault; it's a testament to the scammer's deceptive skills. The important thing is to learn and protect yourself moving forward.

Can deepfakes steal my identity?

A deepfake video itself doesn't directly steal your identity. However, the scammer using the deepfake will try to gain your trust to then ask for personal information that can be used for identity theft. They might trick you into revealing your birth date, address, or even financial details, which they can then use maliciously.