In 2017, a video of the actress Gal Gadot appeared on social media wherein the lady was engaged in explicit scenes. An anonymous Reddit user named “deepfakes” claimed to be the creator of that video in which the face of Gal Gadot was superimposed on pornographic content. The origin of deepfakes can be traced back to this identity fraud, where deepfake porn impersonates a real individual. Curiously, Reddit users’ actions in revealing deepfakes proved that the real threat of deepfake videos comes not from technology but from people’s natural inclination to believe what they see. Unless a deepfake is believed to be true, it cannot be used to dupe people by identity fraudsters. The inherent bias of believing what we see can only be neutralized when the deepfake creator admits that a particular media is synthetic. Deepfakes won’t be a grave threat to finances and reputation if it’s exposed as such by authentication. Outsmarting deepfake identity fraud depends on deepfake detection tools that alert users promptly before it leads to embarrassment or infamy. How can technology be used to identify deepfake identity?

The Anatomy of Deepfake Fraud: Technology and Countermeasures

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Introduction

In 2017, a video of the actress Gal Gadot appeared on social media wherein the lady was engaged in explicit scenes. An anonymous Reddit user named “deepfakes” claimed to be the creator of that video in which the face of Gal Gadot was superimposed on pornographic content. The origin of deepfakes can be traced back to this identity fraud, where deepfake porn impersonates a real individual. Curiously, Reddit users’ actions in revealing deepfakes proved that the real threat of deepfake videos comes not from technology but from people’s natural inclination to believe what they see. Unless a deepfake is believed to be true, it cannot be used to dupe people by identity fraudsters. The inherent bias of believing what we see can only be neutralized when the deepfake creator admits that a particular media is synthetic. Deepfakes won’t be a grave threat to finances and reputation if it’s exposed as such by authentication. Outsmarting deepfake identity fraud depends on deepfake detection tools that alert users promptly before it leads to embarrassment or infamy. How can technology be used to identify deepfake identity?

1. Social media deepfake filter

The primary medium through which deepfakes spread is social media and messenger apps. Deepfakes intending to dupe the public through identity theft usually spread when genuine users coming across the synthetic media share it, believing it to be true. X(Twitter) is the social media platform where deepfake news and political misinformation circulate rapidly. In the case of such news, the deepfake identity of real news anchors is utilised for creating fake news broadcasts, which are then retweeted as propaganda. Sock-puppet accounts aid the publicity, while gullible X account holders like and engage with the content. Deepfakes are surging fast on Twitter, and it’s only a matter of time before it gets difficult to separate fact from fiction. Platforms like X, Facebook and Instagram will have to integrate deepfake detection as an in-built tool so that users aren’t misled.

2. Messenger app

If social media is the ideal mechanism for identity theft of news anchors, celebrities and public personalities, the messenger apps reign as the supreme medium for deepfake porn. Deepfake porn is the worst identity fraud because it takes down the reputation of women and girls directly. Even if the porn is discovered as deepfakes, it doesn’t end the maligning of the image and mental stress on the victim. Almost all deepfake porns are identity frauds where females are the only victim. Among messaging apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat and Telegram, the Telegram app has the dubious distinction of being the most prone to deepfake porn. The light moderation of Telegram resulting in extensive proliferation of shady content right from pirated Hollywood movies to South Korean deepfakes is why Telegram channels have come under scrutiny in 2024. Messaging apps that enforce stringent moderation and deepfake detection tools will retain their credibility over the long run, while others will wither away with the onslaught of deepfakes.

3. KYC identity theft

Know-your-customer regulations have emerged as a security gap for financial institutions because the KYC details collected through audio and video mode are vulnerable to deepfake identity frauds. Deepfakes can create National ID cards, Driving licenses and relevant documents of fictional individuals at the click of a button. It can also impersonate a non-existent individual and create genuine bank accounts that belong to non-existent AI-generated entities. In the past, deep web transactions and cryptocurrency were the preferred means for cybercriminals looking to hide their ill-gotten wealth. In the future, real bank accounts of deepfake individuals will be easier to operate and route money legally. Unless banking systems worldwide upgrade to deepfake-proof their customer database, KYC identity frauds will crop up and lead to heightened risks for banks due to benami transactions, terror funding, drug peddling and other serious offences which generate or remit money.

4. Deepfake-proof IT infrastructure

IT infrastructure has emerged as the backbone of business organisations. Most of the automated systems rely on digital technology to operate. Even high-end manufacturing relies on IT systems to keep their factory running. Warehousing data and inventory keeping is completely dependent on digital information. In such a case where a centralized digital infrastructure overlooks the daily activities of an enterprise, it is vital to deepfake-proof the systems. In the case of a deepfake attack on a Hong Kong based multinational that made headlines, the finance executive transferred more than $25 million only after attending the deepfake video conference of the CFO and his colleagues. In that instance, if the video conferencing system of the organization was deepfake proof, it would have successfully avoided the scam by alerting the employee. By deepfaking phone calls, Whatsapp calls, Facetime, Video conference etc, any individual can fool an average user who believes what he sees. A comprehensive review and deepfake proofing of IT infrastructure and regular IT audits is the need of the hour to avoid a repeat of such deepfake identity frauds.

Conclusion

Outsmarting deepfake identity frauds using technology is possible only by installing appropriate deepfake detection tools at the vulnerability phase. While public platforms like Facebook, X and Instagram need deepfake detection at the uploading stage, individual enterprises need deepfake detection tools at their local system level. Messenger apps must integrate AI-based deepfake detection to preserve their credibility and user base.  A ransomware attack or KYC deepfaking at large scale can entail huge losses for financial institutions making them an ideal target of cyber criminals. In contrast to generic deepfake detection by Big Tech social media giants, large financial institutions need customized solutions to tackle deepfakes because the financial stakes are higher. In conclusion, a mix of technological interventions and legislative initiatives can ensure that digital world is free of all types of deepfake identity frauds.  

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The Anatomy of Deepfake Fraud: Technology and Countermeasures

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Your Questions Answered: Navigating Deepfake Detection with pi-labs

Deepfake identity fraud involves creating synthetic media to impersonate individuals, leading to financial, reputational, or security breaches.

Deepfakes often gain traction through social media platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, where users knowingly or unknowingly share synthetic media.

Messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp lack stringent moderation, making them hotspots for deepfake porn and identity theft.

Deepfakes can exploit KYC systems by creating synthetic identities, posing risks like fraudulent bank accounts and illegal transactions.

Regular IT audits and integrating deepfake detection tools into video conferencing and communication systems are essential for security.

Yes, deepfake detection tools can identify and flag synthetic media, preventing fraud before it escalates.

Financial institutions face heightened risks like benami transactions and terror funding, making robust deepfake-proof systems essential.

Advanced AI-driven tools and real-time detection mechanisms help identify and neutralize deepfakes, ensuring safety and authenticity.

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