As the line between fact and fiction gets harder to distinguish, online criminals need just two hours to create a realistic, computer-generated “deepfake” product that can ruin someone’s life.
The surge in popularity of hyper-realistic photos, audio, and videos developed with artificial intelligence (AI)—commonly known as deepfakes—has become an internet sensation. It’s also giving cyber villains an edge in the crime world.
Between 2022 and the first quarter of this year, deepfake use in fraud catapulted 1,200 percent in the United States alone. Though it’s not just an American problem.
In the same analysis, deepfakes used for scam purposes exploded in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In the study, the United States accounted for 4.3 percent of global deepfake fraud cases. Meanwhile, AI experts and cybercrime investigators say we’re just at the tip of the iceberg. The rabbit hole of deepfake fraud potential just keeps going.
“I believe the No. 1 incentive for cyber criminals to commit cybercrime is law enforcement and their inability to keep up,” Michael Roberts told The Epoch Times.
Mr. Roberts is a professional investigator and the founder of the pioneer company Rexxfield, which helps victims of web-based attacks. He also started PICDO, a cyber crime disruption organization, and has run counter-hacking education for branches of the U.S. and Australian militaries as well as NATO.
Mr. Roberts said legal systems in the Western world are “hopelessly overwhelmed” by online fraud cases, many of which include deepfake attacks. Moreover, the cases that get investigated without hiring a private firm are cherry-picked.
“And even then, it [the case] doesn’t get resolved,” he said.
The market for deepfake detection was valued at $3.86 billion dollars in 2020 and is expected to grow 42 percent annually through 2026, according to an HSRC report.
Sleight of Hand
Imagine getting a phone call from a loved one, tearfully claiming they’ve been kidnapped. Naturally, the abductors want money and the voice of your family member proceeds to give instructions on how to deliver the ransom. You may be convinced it’s the voice of your beloved on the other end, but there’s a chance it’s not.
Deepfake audio or “voice cloning” scams have spread like wildfire across the United States this year, blindsiding compassionate, unprepared individuals in multiple states. But it doesn’t stop there. Deepfake attacks can arrive in many forms. These clever scams can also pop up as video chats with someone you know.
They can appear as the social media post of a long-time colleague, discussing how a cryptocurrency investment allowed them to purchase the beautiful new home they’re excitedly pointing at in a photo.
“We have lots of cryptocurrency scams,” Mr. Roberts said.
Deepfakes are also used for blackmail. It usually involves the creation of a passable video or photo of the victim in a lewd or compromising situation. Then attackers demand a ransom, lest they distribute the fake to the victim’s coworkers, boss, family, and friends.
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Every single one of those examples is already happening. But to create these realistic fakes, criminals need access to material like photos, audio, and video. Unfortunately, these things aren’t hard to get.
“If someone gets into your private photos, in your iCloud, that gives all the sampling, all the technology … to make hyper-realistic fakes,” Mr. Roberts said.
Social media profiles are a treasure trove for criminals looking to create these products. Recovering lost assets and the victim’s reputation can be grim. Roberts noted litigation against cyber crimes is an uphill battle. “It’s long, it’s arduous, it’s drawn out, and it’s emotionally and financially taxing.”
Other AI industry insiders say it’s not just the quality of fakes that are a problem but also the quantity.
“Sooner or later, people will be able to generate any combination of pixels of any type of content. And it’s up to you to filter it,” Alan Ikoev told The Epoch Times.
Mr. Ikoev is the CEO of FameFlow.ai, which creates licensed celebrity and influencer ads. As a pioneer of authorized AI-generated content involving celebrities, he’s all too familiar with the work of his nefarious counterparts.
But to counter these increasingly sophisticated scams, people need to be suspicious of everything they see online. “If they don’t question, then they’re easily convinced,” Ikoev said.
Discerning what’s real or fake online is already challenging. Eighty-six percent of internet users admitted to being hoodwinked by fake news, according to an Ipsos survey of more than 25,000 participants in 25 countries. This is compounded by a recent cyber security study, which revealed nearly half of all internet traffic is now generated by bots.
But it’s not all bad news. Mr. Roberts maintains criminals haven’t caught up with how fast technology is moving forward, which is currently outpacing the “bad actors.” However, vigilance and having a plan are needed to repel or counter deepfake attacks.
Moves and Counter Moves
The rapid advancement of technology in fraud almost evokes nostalgia for the days when internet scams were just an email from a self-proclaimed prince in a foreign land who needed help transferring money. AI has given cybercriminals better tools, but it can also be used against them.
“The development of advanced deepfake detection tools using AI-driven algorithms is crucial to combat this threat. Collaborative efforts among AI developers, researchers, and tech companies are essential for creating robust security measures and raising awareness,” Nikita Sherbina, CEO of AIScreen, told The Epoch Times.
Mr. Sherbina said businesses can protect themselves by doubling down on tech. Essentially fighting digital fire with fire.
“Implement advanced AI-based authentication systems, including voice and facial recognition with multi-factor authentication. Continuous monitoring and analysis of communication patterns using AI algorithms can also help detect and prevent fraudulent activities,” he said.
But for individuals, disrupting or preventing a deepfake scam is simpler.
In the event of a suspected voice clone attack, Mr. Roberts said, “The first thing you do is say, ‘honey, I’m going to call you right back.'”
He noted that scammers will invent an excuse why you can’t call back to verify their identity. Another trick to derail criminals using cloned audio to fake a kidnapping is to ask the caller questions that aren’t in the public domain.
“Have this conversation with your family before it actually happens so they understand what you’re doing,” Mr. Roberts added.
He stressed the importance of not using individual email addresses with full names or numbers relevant to the user’s date of birth. Further, a person should never reuse a login password. Mr. Roberts noted the first thing hackers do when they snag a password is try logging into every possible site to see where else it works.
This includes bank accounts, cloud storage, social media, and more. But while deepfakes have raised the bar high for online scammers, the methods of tracking them down haven’t changed.
“The process doesn’t change. AI is just the content … but the breadcrumbs the criminals left, they’re always the same,” Mr. Ikoev said.
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Tracking scammers may be well established, but a clear path for victims to recover lost money is not. Financial scams from deepfakes can range from $243,000 to $35 million, according to one analysis.
One example was a cryptocurrency hustle using a forged likeness of Elon Musk that reportedly cost U.S. consumers around $2 million over six months. Perhaps more troubling is that anyone can create them. Mr. Ikoev explained all someone needs to create a deepfake on their smartphone is a graphics card and to watch a few web tutorials.
“Then you’re good to go,” he said.
World of Possibilities
The timing of the upcoming U.S. presidential election in 2024 is precarious, given the surge in deepfake material. Mr. Roberts said Americans should expect an election race chock full of swindlers wielding an arsenal of deepfakes.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also expressed concern over the technology’s use, stating: “The threat of deepfakes and synthetic media comes not from the technology used to create it, but from people’s natural inclination to believe what they see.”
Yet Pandora’s box is already open. Earlier this year, videos emerged of U.S. politicians making strikingly out-of-character remarks. One involved Hillary Clinton endorsing Republican presidential candidate hopeful, Ron DeSantis. Another depicted President Joe Biden hurtling angry remarks at a transgender person. According to Mr. Roberts, this is just the beginning.
“It’s going to be used in a lot of political interference,” he said, adding this technology will make the next COVID-level event much worse for the public.
“I’m not talking misinformation as described by the liberal Left. I’m talking about deliberate lies to social engineer the whole world.”
Article cross-posted from our premium news partners at The Epoch Times.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
