In 2026, real-time face-swap runs on a mid-range laptop with zero noticeable lag. The grandma scam, the CEO wire-fraud scam, and the pig-butchering "in-person proof" video call all use it. Visual inspection alone no longer works.
Live tests that still expose fakes
- Ask them to turn their head 90°. Most consumer face-swap models break at sharp profile angles — the jaw clips or the ear morphs.
- Ask them to pass a hand in front of their face. Occlusion handling is the weakest part of real-time models. Watch for fingers warping or disappearing.
- Ask them to press their nose with a finger. Skin deformation is unconvincing.
- Throw a curveball question only the real person would answer. Not a fact that's on LinkedIn — something personal and recent.
- Send a code via a second channel (Signal, SMS) and ask them to read it on camera.
If you're being asked to send money
Never wire, transfer, or crypto-send funds based on a video call alone — even if the face is your CEO, parent, or partner. Hang up. Call them back on a number you already had saved. The 5 minutes you spend confirming will save you the rest of your savings.
Report it
If you encounter a deepfake scam attempt, report the username, platform, and any wallet addresses to GACS. Each report sharpens the auto-learning fraud rules that protect the next victim.