Don't Be Duped: Spotting Deepfakes in Live Video Calls

The Deepfake Threat in Interviews and Dating

Imagine you're interviewing a promising candidate, or connecting with a new match online. The person on the screen seems real, but what if they're not? Deepfake technology can now convincingly overlay one person's face onto another's in real-time, or generate entirely synthetic faces and voices.

Scammers leverage this to bypass identity verification, trick employers into hiring non-existent employees for data theft, or build false emotional connections in romance scams. These incidents are on the rise in Australia, making vigilance more important than ever.

Visual Cues: What to Watch For

While deepfakes are improving, they often leave subtle visual tells. Pay close attention to inconsistencies in lighting, shadows, and facial features. A deepfake might struggle with blink rates, lip-syncing, or even the natural movement of hair.

Here are some common visual red flags:

Look for: blurred edges around the face or neck; inconsistent lighting on the face compared to the background; unnatural skin texture, appearing too smooth or too pixelated; odd eye movements, like lack of blinking or shifting gaze; unnatural head movements, like jerky or robotic motion. Also, consider if there's a delay between gestures and speech, or if the individual never seems to look directly at the camera in a natural way.

Visual Red Flags:

• Blurred or inconsistent edges around the face/neck.
• Unnatural skin texture (too smooth, too pixelated).
• Lack of blinking or irregular blink patterns.
• Inconsistent lighting on the face vs. background.
• Unusual or stiff head movements.
• Poor lip-syncing or unnatural mouth movements.

Audio Anomalies and Conversational Clues

Deepfake audio, while advanced, can also have glitches. Pay attention to the quality and consistency of the voice. Does it sound robotic, or does it have an unnatural pitch or tone? Is there a lack of natural inflection or emotional range?

Beyond the technical, observe the conversational flow. Does the person avoid spontaneous questions or seem to stick to a script? Do they hesitate oddly, or do responses feel too perfect or generic? Scammers often prefer to control the conversation and avoid situations that might reveal their true identity. They might also pressure you for personal information or money very early on.

Audio and Conversational Red Flags:

• Robotic or monotonous voice, lacking natural emotion.
• Inconsistent audio quality or background noise that doesn't match.
• Poor synchronisation between lips and speech.
• Evasive answers to spontaneous questions.
• Pressuring for personal details or financial requests too quickly.

Proactive Verification Techniques

If you're suspicious, there are simple, non-confrontational ways to verify identity. During an interview, you might ask a candidate to quickly adjust their camera angle, hold an object up, or even read a specific sentence you provide. In a dating context, suggest moving the call to another platform, or ask them to take a selfie in real-time.

If they refuse or seem hesitant to these simple requests, it's a significant red flag. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Your safety is paramount, whether it's your job or your personal life.

When You Suspect a Deepfake or Scam

If you encounter a suspected deepfake or feel you're being scammed, act quickly. For job interviews, immediately report it to the HR department or the platform where the interview was arranged. For dating apps, report and block the user.

Collect any evidence you can, such as screenshots or recordings, and report the incident to ReportCyber. Australian authorities like Scamwatch and IDCARE can provide support and guidance. Most importantly, if you've shared personal information or lost money, KNOMI is who you call – we can help you navigate the aftermath and minimise the damage. We're here to help you get back on your feet.

Frequently asked questions