Meta Issues Warning of Scammers Utilizing Deepfake Technology to Target Online Romance Seekers

Meta has warned online users to be careful around internet scammers who use deepfake technology to impersonate others and trick victims into sending cash. The scammers, using AI technology, can change their faces and voices while on a video call such that they can impersonate someone else. Their purpose is generally to quickly win trust and later ask for money or personal information, typically in the guise of an emergency or business opportunity.

Meta’s security team outlined that their apps, including Instagram and WhatsApp, employ patterns of behavior and technical signals to identify scams, even when deepfake technology is utilized. Meta also reported removing over 408,000 scam accounts in the last year. Scammers are taking advantage of loneliness with the impending winter months and Valentine’s Day. Meta is also testing facial recognition to help identify online impersonators.