Picture this.
You get a video call from your boss asking you to transfer money urgently, or a voicemail from a family member saying they’re in trouble. Their face looks real, their voice sounds spot on. But here’s the twist — none of it is them.
Here’s the catch:
Deepfake technology can create convincing fake audio and video. What started as entertainment or internet jokes is now being weaponised by scammers and criminals.
What Deepfakes Actually Are
Deepfakes use AI to copy someone’s face or voice and map it onto fake content.
• Video — replacing faces in clips, making people say or do things they never did.
• Audio — cloning voices with just a few seconds of recording.
• Live fakes — real-time filters on video calls to impersonate someone.
At first they were clunky, but now they’re scarily realistic.
Why This Matters
• Scams — fraudsters using fake bosses, partners, or friends to demand money or details.
• Disinformation — fake political videos spreading online before anyone can fact-check.
• Blackmail — fake compromising videos used to pressure victims.
• Trust erosion — if you can’t believe what you see or hear, it shakes confidence in everything online.
Real Example
In 2020, criminals used deepfake audio to mimic a CEO’s voice and tricked a company into transferring €220,000. The voice was so convincing that staff believed it was their real boss on the phone.
Do This Today
- Be suspicious of urgency
If someone asks for money or sensitive info under pressure — pause and verify another way. - Double-check with a second channel
Call back on a trusted number, or message through a known app before acting. - Look for subtle glitches
Deepfakes can slip up — unnatural blinking, lip-sync slightly off, robotic voice tones. - Limit what you share
The less of your voice and face online, the harder it is to copy convincingly. - Spread awareness
Tell friends, family, and colleagues that deepfakes are real — knowledge is protection.
Key Takeaway
Deepfakes are no longer science fiction — they’re a real weapon in scams and misinformation. Trust, but verify. Always confirm before you act.
At The Cyber Workshop, our Awareness Workshops tackle modern threats like deepfakes, phishing, and ransomware — showing you how to spot the tricks and protect yourself in plain English.
Till next time,
Don’t believe everything you see — especially online.
