Guelph senior loses $15K to deepfake scam

As artificial intelligence technology advances, cybersecurity experts warn it’s getting easier to make convincing ads for online scams as eerily realistic-looking deepfake videos of news anchors and celebrities rapidly spread online. (Pexels)

An 80-year-old man is out more than $15,000 after Guelph Police say he fell for a deepfake scam.

The victim reportedly clicked on a Facebook ad which appeared to show Premier Doug Ford promoting a mutual fund account.

A chat window opened, and the man said he was convinced to invest money.

Over the next week, he sent $15,000 through e-transfers and credit card payments.

Both the Government of Canada and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre have reported a surge in these kinds of schemes. The scammers use artificial intelligence (AI) to create realistic photos, videos and audio of politicians or celebrities to persuade victims to send money.

The most recent alert was issued on June 23.

“Cyber security officials in the Government of Canada are warning Canadians about a spike in malicious cyber activity, where threat actors are using text and AI-generated voice messages impersonating senior officials and prominent public figures to steal money and information,” a post on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website said.

A similar message was shared by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in May.

How to protect yourself

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre shared some of the warning signs to look out for:

• Messages or calls from someone claiming to be a high-ranking government official, a prominent public figure, or someone you trust urging immediate action
• Instructions to move to an alternate communications platform, including to download and install a messaging application for that purpose
• Messages including suspicious links or asking for personal or financial information
• Inconsistencies in voice, video, or message tone that seem out of character

Here’s what you can do to protect yourself:

• Do not trust display names. Phone numbers in voice calls and text messages can be spoofed, display names in messaging apps can be forged
• Verify independently. Contact the person or organization through alternate, previously confirmed channels
• Do not click on suspicious links, especially in unsolicited messages
• Be skeptical of urgent requests. especially those involving money or sensitive data
• Watch for deepfakes. In videos, look for unnatural movements, mismatched audio, or inconsistent lighting. In audio, listen for unnatural and flat tone, unexpected background noises, or choppy sentences
• Consult with someone you trust whenever in doubt

Victims should report all incidents, even if there has been no financial loss, to their local police department, as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre through their online reporting system or 1-888-495-8501.