Fraudsters in Russia are using deepfakes 26 times more often
In Russia, the number of cases involving the use of artificial intelligence technologies for criminal purposes has grown significantly over the past year. According to cybersecurity experts, fraudsters have begun using deepfakes—realistic video and audio fabrications featuring famous people or acquaintances of the victim—26 times more frequently than before.
Deepfake technologies allow attackers to create images and voices that are almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing. Criminals most often use them to create fake video calls appearing to be from company executives or relatives. In such calls, scammers ask for money to be transferred to a "safe account" or for an urgent payment of a non-existent debt.
Specialists note that the primary targets of these criminals are unsuspecting citizens who are unaware of the capabilities of modern technology. Attackers use voice recordings from social media and open sources to make their messages as convincing as possible. This makes traditional verification methods, such as video calls, less reliable.
Experts urge Russians to exercise extreme caution when receiving unexpected requests for money transfers, even if the caller looks and sounds like someone they know. In case of doubt, it is recommended to end the conversation and contact the person directly using their usual phone number to verify the information.
To protect against such attacks, specialists advise setting up two-factor authentication in messaging apps and limiting access to personal photos and voice messages on social media. Increasing digital literacy remains the most effective way to combat new methods of cyber fraud.