INTERPOL Deepfake Scam Campaign: Wait. Validate. Don't Take the Bait.
INTERPOL launched a public awareness campaign on 19 October 2026 warning that AI deepfakes can copy a real person's face or voice to scam the public.
INTERPOL launched a public awareness campaign on 19 October 2026. It warns that AI deepfakes are being used to scam the public. Cyprus police shared the warning the same day.
What Happened
INTERPOL announced the campaign from Singapore on 19 October 2026. It consists of three short, AI-generated videos under the slogan "Wait. Validate. Don't take the bait."[1] The campaign is the public-facing part of Project SynthWave PLUS, which supports law enforcement in Southeast Asia and beyond. The project is financially supported by the Government of Japan.[1]
INTERPOL says generative AI tools now need little technical skill or investment, and "can now convincingly reproduce the face or voice of a real person using a small amount of content found online."[1] Toshinobu Yasuhira, Director of the INTERPOL Innovation Centre, said AI is removing the usual warning signs of a scam, such as spelling mistakes and clumsy formatting. "Anyone can fall victim to these scams, regardless of age, region, or sector," he said.[1]
Cyprus police shared the campaign the same day. They warned that criminals are using artificial intelligence to imitate the faces and voices of loved ones and colleagues. The aim is to trick victims into transferring money or disclosing sensitive information.[2] Examples include video calls from fake colleagues requesting urgent bank transfers, phone calls from a supposedly distressed relative, and online acquaintances asking for money.[2]
Why It Matters
INTERPOL says synthetic media crime increasingly targets private citizens. The forms it lists include investment scams, impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, deepfake pornography and disinformation.[1] INTERPOL connects 196 member countries.[1]
Cyprus Mail's report put it plainly: "The key message is clear: a familiar face or voice is not proof of identity."[2]
What to Do
Watch for the warning signs both sources list: unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, claimed emergencies, attempts to create fear, requests for secrecy, and fast-moving online relationships.[1][2]
Be wary of unusual payment methods. INTERPOL lists wire transfers and gift cards among them.[1]
Verify before you act. End the call and contact the person through a number you already trust, not one provided by the caller. Never transfer money without independent confirmation.[2]
Agree on a family safe word and enable two-factor authentication.[1]
For businesses, INTERPOL advises three steps. Train staff on deepfake scams, vishing and social engineering. Require multi-step verification for financial transactions, including face-to-face confirmation for large sums. Keep software updated.[1]
If you have been targeted, contact local law enforcement immediately and tell your bank if you have sent money.[1][2]
Verify What You See and Hear
Upload any suspicious image or video frame at witness.vision/scan to check whether it is real or synthetic. The Witness Chrome extension scans images directly on any webpage.
Scan now at witness.vision/scan
Related reading
- AI Scams Are Getting Smarter: What You're Actually Up Against
- AI Voice Cloning: How Scammers Use Your Voice Against You
- Deepfake Fraud by the Numbers: How AI Scams Went From Rare to Routine
- [1]INTERPOL, 19 October 2026. https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2026/INTERPOL-launches-public-awareness-campaign-highlighting-risk-of-AI-deepfake-scams
- [2]Cyprus Mail, 19 October 2026. https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/10/19/police-warn-of-ai-deepfake-scams-as-relatives-friends-impersonated