Identity & impersonation
How can I recognise a deepfake?
Treat surprising video or audio of people you know as unverified. Look for artefacts, verify through a second channel, and never send money based on media alone—deepfakes can look convincing.
What this means for you
If a video or voice note asks for money or secrecy, pause. Deepfakes and voice clones can mimic people you trust—confirm through another channel.
Detailed explanation
Visual clues can include unnatural blinking, warped edges, mismatched lighting, or odd audio sync—but high-quality fakes may show few artefacts.
Audio clones need surprisingly little sample audio. A familiar voice on the phone is not proof of identity.
Agree on a family challenge phrase in advance. Call back on a known number or ask a question only the real person would answer live.
Do not authorise payments, gift cards, or remote access based solely on a clip or call.
Warning signs and signals
- Urgent money requests paired with a video or voice of a relative
- Requests for secrecy from other family members
- Media that arrives with a payment link or wallet address
- Refusal to switch to a known video call or callback number
Practical verification steps
- Verify via a second channel you already trust
- Ask a live knowledge question the scammer would not know
- Ignore payment instructions inside the media
- Report and keep the file if needed for authorities
What Fraudly can and cannot verify
Fraudly cannot conclusively detect every deepfake.
Image or message analysis may surface clues; it cannot prove authenticity alone.
Key trust concepts
Verified identity and trustworthy behaviour are different
Knowing who someone claims to be is not the same as knowing they will treat you fairly.
Urgent payment pressure is a social-engineering signal
Real organisations rarely demand immediate payment with threats or secrecy.
Related guides
Reviewed: 8 August 2026
This page is educational decision support. It is not legal, financial, or emergency advice.
