The person sent me a video, but it looks strange. Can a video be fake?
Yes. Scammers send videos taken from someone else's account, loop a short recorded clip during a "call", or use face-swap and deepfake apps. A strange video has odd lighting, a face that does not match the voice, lips out of sync, no reaction to what you say and a call that ends after a few seconds.
A video call is still one of the best checks, but only if it is live and interactive. A video the person sends you proves nothing: it may be the real owner of the stolen photos. A call where the person cannot react to your request in real time is just a recording.
How to test a video call
- Ask the person to do something specific during the call: touch their nose, hold up three fingers, say your name.
- Watch the edges of the face and hair when the person moves: deepfakes often flicker there.
- Listen for a voice that does not match the lips or the person's stated age and country.
- A call that is always very short, dark or "bad signal" is a sign.
- Compare the video with the profile photos: are they really the same person?
Frequently asked questions
- The person refuses to do the gesture, saying it is insulting. What now?
- A real person may be a little annoyed but will do it. Refusing a one-second gesture while asking for your trust or money is a sign.
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