Deepfakes are fake videos or audio recordings made using AI. They can look or sound exactly like a real person, such as a CEO, politician, or police officer, even when that person never said or did those things.

Criminals are using deepfakes to scam people and businesses. These fakes are so realistic that even trained professionals are being fooled. They are being used in scams, fake investment ads, political misinformation, and identity theft.

Reports show that biometric deepfakes, such as faces, fingerprints or voices, are being used more and more across Africa. Incidents involving people, such as Patrice Motsepe, and companies alike, such as Luno, are growing at an alarming rate.

The need to understand and train for recognizing deepfakes is becoming increasingly necessary as attacks become more prevalent. Detecting flaws in deepfakes, performing additional verification steps, and investing in software for protection are recommended as mitigation factors.

Deepfakes are no longer just a technical curiosity, they’re a growing threat. Businesses, governments, and individuals must stay alert. Cybercriminals are already using this technology to steal millions, spread false information, and damage trust. The time to act is now.