Deepfakes are no longer a future risk — they are now part of everyday digital reality. In 2026, AI-generated voices can convincingly replicate tone and emotion, while fake videos have become so realistic that even experienced professionals may hesitate at first glance.
Cybercriminals actively exploit this technology for fraud. Fake voice calls are used to create urgency and pressure, while realistic video impersonations increasingly appear in business contexts — for example, when a supposed executive requests immediate transfers or sensitive actions.
What makes deepfake fraud especially dangerous is the loss of trust. When seeing and hearing are no longer reliable proof of identity, social engineering reaches an entirely new level.
In this article, you’ll learn how deepfake fraud works in 2026, which scam scenarios are currently emerging, and how to detect fake voices and videos — along with practical steps to protect yourself and others.
What is deepfake fraud?
The term deepfake combines “deep learning,” a specialized form of machine learning, with the word “fake.” It describes media content that is manipulated or entirely generated using artificial intelligence. This includes synthetic voices, images, and videos that are so realistic they can be almost impossible to distinguish from genuine recordings.
In deepfake fraud, criminals deliberately use this technology to deceive victims and exploit their trust. The objective is usually financial gain or access to sensitive information. To achieve this, attackers rely heavily on psychological pressure, such as creating urgency (“This needs to be done immediately”) or invoking authority (“This is a direct order from management”).
Unlike earlier scams — such as poorly written phishing emails or obvious SMS fraud — deepfake-based attacks operate on an entirely different level. Victims may hear a convincing voice on the phone that sounds exactly like a CEO, a partner, or a family member. They may receive audio messages via WhatsApp or Telegram that appear to come from someone close who claims to be in trouble. In some cases, attackers even use AI-generated video calls where the face looks familiar and trustworthy, despite being entirely synthetic.
What makes deepfake fraud particularly dangerous is that it bypasses many traditional security measures and targets something far more fundamental: human perception. People are conditioned to trust what they see and hear. Deepfakes exploit this instinct deliberately, turning one of our strongest everyday assumptions into a powerful attack vector.
Examples from the Past
Numerous incidents in recent years show, that deepfakes are no longer rare or experimental. Fraudsters have significantly refined their methods and now deploy AI-generated voices and videos in highly targeted scenarios — affecting businesses, private individuals, and public trust alike.
1. CEO fraud with AI-generated voice and video
In Europe, a medium-sized company fell victim to a particularly severe case of deepfake-enabled CEO fraud. The company’s CFO received an urgent video call that appeared to come directly from the managing director. The voice sounded entirely authentic, and the video image showed familiar facial expressions, gestures, and speech patterns. During the call, the CFO was instructed to immediately transfer several million euros to a foreign account to secure a supposedly time-critical strategic investment.
Only afterward did it become clear that the managing director had never made the call and that the project did not exist. Both the voice and the video had been generated using AI. The financial loss was substantial, but the deeper impact lay in the realization that even experienced professionals can be deceived when visual and auditory trust is exploited.
2. Fake family emergency calls
Private individuals have increasingly become targets of deepfake-based scams. One particularly distressing pattern involved parents receiving frantic phone calls or voice messages in which what sounded exactly like their child’s voice pleaded for immediate help. Scenarios such as accidents or urgent legal trouble were used to create panic and suppress rational decision-making.
In reality, the voices were artificially generated using short audio samples sourced from social media or messaging platforms. These scams proved highly effective because they directly targeted emotional bonds and bypassed skepticism. Throughout 2025, such emergency scams via phone, WhatsApp, and Telegram increased significantly.
3. Political manipulation through deepfake videos
Deepfakes have also become a powerful tool for political manipulation. Fake videos of politicians or well-known public figures spread rapidly across social networks, showing alleged statements or actions that never occurred. Even when such content is later exposed as fraudulent, the initial damage often remains.
In one prominent case, a manipulated video of a European political figure appeared to show an extreme public statement. Although the video was quickly identified as a deepfake, it had already been shared thousands of times. The incident highlighted a critical challenge: corrections rarely travel as far or as fast as the original misinformation, leaving lasting doubt and erosion of trust.
How to recognize deepfakes
Even though deepfake technologies appear impressively realistic in 2026, there are still some characteristics that should raise your eyebrows. With a little attention and a critical eye, many manipulations can be exposed:
1. Unnatural movements
In videos, it’s often the small details that are revealing. Pay attention to facial expressions and gestures: Do lip movements really match what’s being said exactly? Or does the mouth sometimes seem slightly out of sync? The eyes are also a good indicator – if they blink irregularly or not at all, caution is advised. Some deepfakes also show strange movement patterns in the hands or in the background.
2. Sound quality and emphasis
Fake voices now sound almost deceptively real, but they often have subtle weaknesses. Listen carefully: Does the intonation seem too uniform or lacks emotional depth? People rarely speak completely flawlessly—there are small pauses, laughter, throat clearing, or breaths. If all of these nuances are missing or sound too artificial, it could be a sign of a deepfake.
3. Inconsistencies in the conversation
The content of the conversation itself is a strong warning sign. Does your supposed boss suddenly ask for an unusual transfer? Or does a “relative” unexpectedly request money for an emergency without you having heard anything about it beforehand? Scammers deliberately use pressure (“This has to be done immediately!”) to avoid giving you time to think. If a person seems unusually demanding, it’s worth pausing for a moment.
4. Technical anomalies
Even if the quality is high in 2026, AI generation isn’t flawless. Watch out for flickering shadows, unnatural light reflections, jerky movements, or unclean transitions. Deepfakes sometimes stutter, especially with fast movements and complex backgrounds. Even small image errors can be a clue that you’re not dealing with a real video.
5. Check the second channel
The safest course is always reassurance. If in doubt, call the person back using a phone number you know, send a separate email, or arrange a face-to-face meeting. A real colleague, boss, or family member will understand if you want to confirm their identity. On the contrary, they will be glad you’re acting so vigilantly.
How to recognize deepfakes
Even though deepfake technology reached an impressive level of realism by 2025, it is still not flawless. With careful observation and a critical mindset, many manipulations can be detected — especially when multiple warning signs appear at once.
1. Unnatural movements
In manipulated videos, small details often reveal the deception. Pay close attention to facial expressions and gestures. Do lip movements precisely match the spoken words, or do they appear slightly out of sync? The eyes can also be a key indicator. Irregular blinking, an unusually fixed gaze, or unnatural eye movement may signal a deepfake. In some cases, hands, head movements, or background elements move in ways that feel subtly unnatural.
2. Sound quality and emphasis
AI-generated voices have become highly convincing, but they often lack natural variation. Listen carefully to intonation and emotional dynamics. Human speech typically includes pauses, breaths, hesitations, laughter, or slight imperfections. If a voice sounds unusually smooth, overly consistent, or emotionally flat, this can indicate synthetic generation — especially in situations that would normally trigger stress or urgency.
3. Inconsistencies in the conversation
The content of the message itself is often one of the strongest warning signs. A supposed executive suddenly demanding an urgent transfer, or a “family member” requesting immediate financial help without prior context, should raise suspicion. Attackers intentionally create pressure to prevent rational thinking. Requests framed as confidential, time-critical, or non-negotiable deserve particular scrutiny.
4. Technical anomalies
Even at a high level of quality, AI-generated media can still show technical irregularities. Watch for flickering shadows, inconsistent lighting, distorted reflections, or jerky transitions. Fast movements and complex backgrounds are especially challenging for deepfake systems and may reveal subtle visual errors. Even minor distortions can be important indicators.
5. Verify through a second channel
The most reliable defense is verification. If something feels unusual, pause and confirm the request through an independent channel. Call the person using a trusted phone number, send a separate email, or check with another colleague or family member. Legitimate contacts will understand and appreciate careful verification. Scammers, on the other hand, rely on speed and secrecy — and will often resist any attempt to slow the process down.
Conclusion: How to detect and prevent deepfake calls
Deepfake fraud has evolved into a serious and persistent threat — affecting both private individuals and organizations. AI-generated voices and videos are now convincing enough to bypass instinctive trust, which makes blind reliance on what we see and hear increasingly dangerous.
However, effective protection is still possible. Deepfakes often reveal themselves through subtle but consistent warning signs, such as unnatural movements, flat or overly controlled speech patterns, implausible requests, or small technical irregularities. Recognizing these indicators requires awareness rather than technical expertise.
Most importantly, do not allow urgency or authority to override critical thinking. Unusual or high-pressure requests should always be verified through a second, independent communication channel. Clear internal procedures, strong authentication mechanisms, and a culture that encourages verification without fear of repercussions significantly reduce the success rate of deepfake-based attacks.
Deepfake fraud thrives on speed, silence, and unquestioned trust. Slowing down, verifying identities, and treating visual and auditory signals with healthy skepticism are among the most effective defenses. By doing so, deepfake calls can be detected early — and financial, reputational, and emotional damage can be prevented.
I also recommend you read the following articles
Examples of Phishing Attacks on Small Businesses — And How to Detect Them Early
How to Identify Dangerous Phishing Emails in Your Company
The 5 Biggest AI Scams of 2026 — and How Entrepreneurs Can Stay Safe
The 6 Cyber Threats Every Small Business Must Prepare for in 2026
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