AI-Generated Deepfake Used in Extortion Attempt in Kayseri
A social media user in Kayseri received a fraudulent video call from an impersonated contact, and the perpetrator used AI to composite his image with inappropriate content to extort him. The victim avoided financial harm by quickly closing his social media account before the fake image could be sent to his entire contact list.
What happened
Nuri Karakol, resident of Kayseri, answered a video call via social media from an account using the name of one of his friends. Within seconds of realizing the caller was not his friend, he ended the call.
The perpetrator recorded a screenshot during the brief call and used AI to composite it with inappropriate imagery. The extortionist sent the manipulated image to approximately 10 of Karakol's social media contacts and demanded 70,000 lira to prevent sending it to his entire friend list.
Karakol closed his social media account, contacted police, and notified his contacts via WhatsApp about the scheme. The perpetrator subsequently attempted to continue threats through WhatsApp.
Reported impact
Karakol reported avoiding becoming a victim by closing his social media account before the full contact list could be targeted.
Index analysis
The incident illustrates a fraud method combining social engineering (impersonating a friend), video call interception, synthetic media creation, and extortion threats.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.