Real-time AI deepfakes are creating a dangerous new frontier in internet scams, particularly targeting vulnerable populations like the elderly. Fraudsters are now using generative AI technology to alter their appearance and voices during live video conversations, allowing them to convincingly impersonate trusted individuals or create attractive fake personas. This evolution of scam technology is making even video verification—once considered relatively secure—increasingly unreliable as a means of establishing someone’s true identity.
The big picture: Scammers are deploying sophisticated AI filters during live video calls to completely transform their appearance and voice, creating nearly undetectable fake identities.
Common tactics: Once scammers establish trust through their convincing AI-altered personas, they typically execute several types of fraud schemes.
Particularly concerning: The “grandparent scam” represents an especially troubling application where criminals use AI to impersonate family members’ voices.
Vulnerability across generations: While older adults are common targets, research shows younger populations are actually more susceptible to certain types of financial fraud.
Why this matters: As generative AI technology becomes more accessible and convincing, traditional methods of verifying someone’s identity online are becoming increasingly unreliable, creating new security challenges for everyone.