Mark học AI

Can a video call from a family member be fake?

Answered in a minute, with the warning signs and what to do right now.

Short answer

Yes, it can

Yes. Today's AI can fake the face and voice of a real person well enough for a short video call that family members struggle to catch. Don't rely on your eyes: whenever money comes up, hang up, call back on the number you have saved, or ask for your family safe word.

US$25 millionsent after a video meeting where everyone else was a deepfakeSource: Hong Kong Police, CNN, 2/2024 (Arup case)
15 transfersinto 5 accounts before the employee found outSource: Hong Kong Police, 2/2024

Red flags

Red flags

  • Very short call, blurry or choppy pictureBlames a bad connection to turn the camera off or hang up early.
  • An emergency and money right nowAn accident, an arrest, a hospital bill, plus “don't tell anyone”.
  • Pay into someone else's accountThe receiving account isn't in the caller's name.
  • Resists when you offer to call backOr dodges a question only family would know.

Do this

Do this

  1. Hang up and call the saved numberNot the number that just called, not the account that just messaged.
  2. Ask for the family safe wordA secret word your family agreed on and never posts online.
  3. Call another family memberCheck whether the person is really in trouble.
  4. Never pay while still on the callLarge amounts need two people to approve, even at home.

AI scam help desk

Check, practise, prepare

30-second checkPick what happened, answer 3 questionsThis scam's cardSigns, steps and related videosPractise spotting itScam or realAlready sent money?5 things to do in the first hour

More questions

People also ask

Can I spot a deepfake video call if I look closely?

Sometimes: lips out of sync, a stiff face when turning, blurry hair edges. But fakes improve every month, so a routine (call back, ask the safe word) beats your eyes.

Where do scammers get a relative's face and voice?

From public videos and photos on social media, and from strange calls. Setting photos and videos with voices to friends-only gives them less to work with.

I already sent money. What now?

Call your bank on the number printed on your card and ask them to freeze the transfer, then report it to the police. The sooner the better.

Send this answer to your parents

Scammers target older people the most. One message today helps your family know what to do.

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Anti-scam Q&A

Other questions

AI faking a relative's voiceYes, a few seconds is enoughAlready sent money to a scammerAct within the first hourScam messages written by AILook at what it asks you to doA stranger wants to chatStop when money comes upEasy high-paying jobs abroadCheck 3 things before you goPaid “like and review” tasksIf you must pay in, it's a trapDoctors advertising medicine onlineVery likely a deepfakeAI trading robots with daily profitsAlmost certainly a scamBank calls to update face IDYes, it's a scam

Sources: Hong Kong Police, CNN, The Guardian (2-5/2024): Arup case, about HK$200 million · Mark Học AI video script 704, Dissecting AI scams. This page helps you spot warning signs; it doesn't replace your bank or the police. When in doubt, ask them directly.