What it is
Deepfakes are videos, images or audio generated or manipulated by AI to impersonate a person. They are used in fake video calls with bogus executives, investment scams using famous faces, blackmail and disinformation.
How it works
- 1The attacker collects public video, photos and voice of the person to imitate.
- 2They generate face and voice, sometimes in real time during a video call.
- 3They create a context of pressure: an urgent meeting, a confidential request.
- 4They ask for a payment, access to a system or sensitive data.
How to spot it
- Out-of-the-ordinary requests and imposed secrecy
- Pressure to decide now and without consulting others
- Small glitches in sync, lighting or outlines, but do not rely on those alone: they keep improving
- Excuses for poor connection quality or for not turning on the camera
How to defend
- Trust the process, not the face: verify on a second channel with a known number
- Ask context questions only the real people know, or agree a code word
- In companies: double approval for payments and IBAN changes
- Avoid publishing unnecessary material of executives and exposed people
- Train teams with real examples
If you think you have been hit
- Stop the communication and verify with the real person
- If you paid, contact the bank at once to try a recall
- Report to the police and keep recordings and messages
And there are many, many more
The attacks above are only some of the most common: there are hundreds, and new ones appear every week. If the one that concerns you is not among them, write to me: I will tell you whether it really affects you and how to defend.
Contact meOther attacks
Watch the Shorts on YouTubeMatteo Russo · Updated October 2026