AI-Generated Deepfake Scams Target Victims in Turkey

What happened

Scammers in Turkey are using AI-generated deepfakes to commit fraud, obtaining short audio and video recordings from social media and using them to create indistinguishable fake content that impersonates family members.

The scammers use these deepfakes to call victims with emergency scenarios demanding money transfers, such as 'send money urgently.'

Reported impact

Victims are tricked into sending money through fraudulent calls impersonating family members, with the scams described as more dangerous than conventional fraud methods.

Index analysis

A cybersecurity expert at BEUN Karaelmas Cyber Security Application and Research Center noted that AI-powered deepfake fraud represents one of the most critical threats currently, with victims being manipulated through voice calls, video calls, and social media videos.

The expert stated that people's voices can now be imitated and images can be generated, enabling creation of realistic fake and manipulated content that targets not only technical systems but also human psychology and trust.

Governance controls

The cybersecurity center advised citizens to approach all digital content with suspicion and verify information through multiple channels before conducting transactions, such as confirming urgent money requests through different communication methods.

Classification

Organizations

Deepfake scammers in Turkey (subject), BEUN Karaelmas Siber Güvenlik Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (mentioned)

Category

Fraud, scams and manipulation

Industry

Digital security

Country

Türkiye

Harm status

Actual harm

Intent

Intentional

Timing

Unknown

Harm types

Economic or property, Psychological

Harmed

Consumers, General public

Failure modes

Deepfake video, Manipulation or dark pattern, Voice clone

Consequences

None recorded

AI systems

Voice cloning deepfake technology

Sources and evidence