Deepfakes for Fraud: A Growing Problem Now Deemed Criminal
amsterdam, dinsdag, 24 juni 2025.
The use of deepfakes for fraud is steadily increasing and is now officially criminal. Recently, the Consumers’ Association warned about a deepfake video in which Prime Minister Dick Schoof promoted an investment platform, designed to lure people into investing. Law enforcement must adapt to this new form of crime, where perpetrators can be held legally accountable. It is crucial that consumers are aware of this threat and take precautionary measures.
Technological Challenges and Legal Adjustments
The use of deepfakes for fraud poses a technological challenge that criminal law must address. Judges are confronted with behaviours that were impossible to foresee when the laws were created. Despite these challenges, fraud using deepfakes is now criminal, implying that perpetrators can be held legally accountable [1]. Therefore, it is essential that both the justice system and consumers are aware of this new threat and take necessary measures.
Concrete Examples of Deepfake Fraud
There are several examples of deepfake fraud that illustrate the severity of the problem. In a recent case, a deepfake video was circulated showing Prime Minister Dick Schoof promoting an investment platform, aimed at enticing people to invest. This is just one of many instances where deepfakes are used to commit financial fraud. Other examples include the crypto scam involving Elon Musk, where hackers used deepfake videos to promote fake cryptocurrency schemes, and the grandparent scam, where family members’ voices were cloned to request money [2][3].
Implications for Media Literacy and Democracy
The spread of deepfakes has implications for media literacy and democracy. Both professionals and consumers must learn to critically evaluate the information presented to them. It is important to verify the authenticity of videos and audio recordings. Deepfakes can lead to disinformation and a crisis of trust, which has negative consequences for democratic processes and society as a whole [2][3].
Practical Tips for Identifying Deepfakes
To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of deepfake fraud, consumers and organisations can apply the following practical tips:
- Use safe words: Have a ‘safe word’ known only to close family members to prevent fraud [2].
- Verify identities: Request additional confirmation before taking action, such as a photo or another form of identification [2].
- Use verification tools: Tools like Intel FakeCatcher, Microsoft Video Authenticator, and Reality Defender can help detect deepfakes [2].
- Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest developments and best practices in combating deepfakes [2].
- Limit your digital footprint: Post less audio and video content online to reduce risks [2].