Your colleague appears on a video call asking you to transfer money. A relative phones in a panic, saying they are in an emergency. Both look and sound exactly like the people you know, and neither may be real. Cyprus Police are urging the public to be on their guard against AI-powered deepfake scams, warning that fraudsters can now convincingly copy the face or voice of someone close to you.
Part of a global Interpol campaign
The warning comes as Cyprus Police take part in an international awareness campaign by Interpol, which is calling on the public to be especially alert to new forms of fraud.
“Fraudsters can copy the voice or image of people close to you. Verify before you act,” the police said in an announcement.
According to the police, these new forms of online fraud use artificial intelligence to create or alter images, video and audio, with the aim of deceiving people and obtaining money or personal information.
How the scam works
So-called deepfakes allow fraudsters to convincingly imitate the appearance or voice of real people, using even small amounts of material available online, the police said.
A suspicious contact may appear as:
- A video call from a supposed colleague asking for money to be transferred
- A phone call from a relative who is supposedly in an emergency
- An online acquaintance whose contact quickly turns into a request for financial help
Why they are so hard to spot
“These scams are not always easy to recognise, as the media used can appear highly realistic,” the police said.
For this reason, the public should not rely solely on what they see or hear, even when it appears to come from someone they know.
Warning signs to look out for
According to the police, you should be concerned when someone:
- Asks for personal details, passwords or money through an unsolicited phone call, video call or online message
- Pressures you to act immediately, citing an emergency or an urgent financial obligation
- Causes fear or emotional distress, or asks you to keep the conversation secret
- Suggests unusual payment methods, or discourages you from contacting others to check
How to protect yourself
The police recommend the following steps:
- Stop and verify. Do not act in haste, even if the request appears to come from a relative, friend or associate.
- Make contact independently. End the suspicious call and phone the person on a number you already know and trust.
- Do not reveal sensitive information. Do not share passwords, bank details or other personal information, and do not transfer money without verification.
- Agree a safe word. With family members or other trusted people, set a secret word or phrase to confirm your identity in the event of a suspicious contact.
- Strengthen your account security. Enable two-factor authentication where available and keep your devices and apps up to date.
Advice for businesses
Businesses are also urged “to apply clear verification procedures before financial transactions or the transfer of sensitive information, even when the requests appear to come from senior executives or partners”, the police said.
“Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.”
Raising public awareness of AI-driven scams is part of a wider effort to prevent cybercrime. As part of this, Interpol is promoting its international campaign under the message “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.”, highlighting the risks posed by the criminal use of synthetic media.
What to do if you have been targeted
“If you suspect you have been targeted by a scam or have already been defrauded, contact the police immediately. If you have made a payment, also inform your bank as soon as possible, so that available measures to limit the damage can be examined,” the police said.
The announcement ends with a clear reminder: “A familiar voice or a familiar face on the screen is not, on its own, proof of identity. Before you send money or reveal personal details, verify.”
Source: Cyprus Police
