Kurt “CyberGuy' Knutsson reveals how the 'Yahoo Boys' scam utilizes deepfake and face-swapping technology to trick people who believe they are in a romantic relationship.
We've all heard of catfish scams – when someone pretends to be a lover on the other side of the screen, but instead, they aren't who they say they are once their real face is revealed. Now, there's a similar scam on the rise, and it's much more sophisticated because scammers can fake the face, too. The scam is known as the 'Yahoo Boys' scam, and it's taking 'catfishing' to a whole new level.
How does deepfake technology work? Deepfake technology uses AI to allow people to impersonate others over audio or video. The technology is essentially able to replicate someone's face, facial expressions, gestures, voice, etc., so that the scammer can pretend to be someone they aren't with almost perfect accuracy. Although deepfake technology has some intentions for good – like in the film industry or advertising – it's generally used for more malicious purposes than anything else.
What is the 'Yahoo Boys' scam? The 'Yahoo Boys' scam involves a group of sophisticated cybercriminals, primarily based in Nigeria, who are using this technology to conduct what's otherwise known as romance scams.
How does it actually work? In the case of the 'Yahoo Boys' scam, the scammers do their dirty work by: Step 1: The scammer will use two smartphones or a combination of a smartphone and a laptop. One device is used to conduct the video call with the victim, while the other runs face-swapping software. Step 2: On a secondary device, the scammer activates face-swapping software. This device’s camera films the scammer’s face, and the software adds a digital mask over it.
Protecting your identity in the age of deepfakes As deepfake technology becomes more accessible and convincing, the risk of identity theft increases. Scammers can use stolen personal information to create more believable deepfakes, making it harder for you to detect fraud. Furthermore, the sophistication of deepfakes may allow criminals to bypass biometric security measures, potentially granting them unauthorized access to your personal accounts and sensitive financial information.
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