Is the Deepfake Video Call Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a impersonation scam.

What should I do if I received the Deepfake Video Call Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Deepfake Video Call Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Deepfake Video Call Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Deepfake Video Call Scam: Is It a Scam?

Medium Prevalence Type: Impersonation

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Scammers use AI-generated deepfake technology to impersonate executives, colleagues, or family members on video calls, convincing victims to transfer large sums of money or share sensitive information.

How This Scam Works

Using publicly available photos and videos, scammers create real-time deepfakes that can mimic a person's face and voice on a video call. In a business context, an employee receives a video call from someone who looks and sounds like their CEO, instructing them to make an urgent wire transfer. In a personal context, a family member appears to call asking for emergency money. The technology has become sophisticated enough to fool people in live conversations, especially when the call is short or the video quality is intentionally kept low. One notable case in 2024 involved a Hong Kong company losing $25 million after an employee attended a video call where every participant was a deepfake.

Red Flags to Watch For

Urgent request for money transfer during a video call
Call quality is poor or video seems slightly off
Person's lip movements may not perfectly match audio
Unusual request that breaks normal procedures
Caller resists extended conversation or changes the subject when questioned
Request to bypass normal approval processes due to urgency

Example Scam Messages

Video call from 'CEO': 'I need you to process an urgent wire transfer of $150,000 to this account. It's for a confidential acquisition. Don't mention this to anyone else in the office yet.' --- Video call from 'family member': 'I'm in trouble and I need you to wire me money right away. Please don't tell anyone in the family. I'll explain everything later.' --- Video call from 'vendor': 'We've changed our bank details. Please send the pending invoice payment to this new account number immediately.'

What to Do If You Received This

Verify any financial request through a separate communication channel
Call the person back on their known phone number
Establish a code word with family members for emergency situations
Follow company procedures for wire transfers regardless of who is asking
Be extra cautious with video calls requesting urgent financial action

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact your bank immediately to attempt to reverse the wire transfer
Notify your company's security team and legal department
File a police report immediately
Document everything about the call
Time is critical; wire transfers can sometimes be recalled within hours

How to Report This Scam

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Report business email compromise to FBI IC3 specifically
Notify your company's IT security team

Last updated: February 10, 2026