As the line between fact and fiction gets harder to distinguish, online criminals need just two hours to create a realistic, computer-generated “deepfake” product that can ruin someone’s life.
The surge in popularity of hyper-realistic photos, audio, and videos developed with artificial intelligence (AI)—commonly known as deepfakes—has become an internet sensation. It’s also giving cyber villains an edge in the crime world.
Between 2022 and the first quarter of this year, deepfake use in fraud catapulted 1,200 percent in the United States alone. Though it’s not just an American problem.
In the same analysis, deepfakes used for scam purposes exploded in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In the study, the United States accounted for 4.3 percent of global deepfake fraud cases. Meanwhile, AI experts and cybercrime investigators say we’re just at the tip of the iceberg. The rabbit hole of deepfake fraud potential just keeps going.
“I believe the No. 1 incentive for cyber criminals to commit cybercrime is law enforcement and their inability to keep up,” Michael Roberts told The Epoch Times.
Mr. Roberts is a professional investigator and the founder of the pioneer company Rexxfield, which helps victims of web-based attacks. He also started PICDO, a cyber crime disruption organization, and has run counter-hacking education for branches of the U.S. and Australian militaries as well as NATO.
Mr. Roberts said legal systems in the Western world are “hopelessly overwhelmed” by online fraud cases, many of which include deepfake attacks. Moreover, the cases that get investigated without hiring a private firm are cherry-picked.
“And even then, it [the case] doesn’t get resolved,” he said.
The market for deepfake detection was valued at $3.86 billion dollars in 2020 and is expected to grow 42 percent annually through 2026, according to an HSRC report.
Sleight of Hand
Imagine getting a phone call from a loved one, tearfully claiming they’ve been kidnapped. Naturally, the abductors want money and the voice of your family member proceeds to give instructions on how to deliver the ransom. You may be convinced it’s the voice of your beloved on the other end, but there’s a chance it’s not.
Deepfake audio or “voice cloning” scams have spread like wildfire across the United States this year, blindsiding compassionate, unprepared individuals in multiple states. But it doesn’t stop there. Deepfake attacks can arrive in many forms. These clever scams can also pop up as video chats with someone you know.
They can appear as the social media post of a long-time colleague, discussing how a cryptocurrency investment allowed them to purchase the beautiful new home they’re excitedly pointing at in a photo.
“We have lots of cryptocurrency scams,” Mr. Roberts said.
Deepfakes are also used for blackmail. It usually involves the creation of a passable video or photo of the victim in a lewd or compromising situation. Then attackers demand a ransom, lest they distribute the fake to the victim’s coworkers, boss, family, and friends.
Every single one of those examples is already happening. But to create these realistic fakes, criminals need access to material like photos, audio, and video. Unfortunately, these things aren’t hard to get.
“If someone gets into your private photos, in your iCloud, that gives all the sampling, all the technology … to make hyper-realistic fakes,” Mr. Roberts said.
Social media profiles are a treasure trove for criminals looking to create these products. Recovering lost assets and the victim’s reputation can be grim. Roberts noted litigation against cyber crimes is an uphill battle. “It’s long, it’s arduous, it’s drawn out, and it’s emotionally and financially taxing.”
Other AI industry insiders say it’s not just the quality of fakes that are a problem but also the quantity.
“Sooner or later, people will be able to generate any combination of pixels of any type of content. And it’s up to you to filter it,” Alan Ikoev told The Epoch Times.
Mr. Ikoev is the CEO of FameFlow.ai, which creates licensed celebrity and influencer ads. As a pioneer of authorized AI-generated content involving celebrities, he’s all too familiar with the work of his nefarious counterparts.
But to counter these increasingly sophisticated scams, people need to be suspicious of everything they see online. “If they don’t question, then they’re easily convinced,” Ikoev said.
Discerning what’s real or fake online is already challenging. Eighty-six percent of internet users admitted to being hoodwinked by fake news, according to an Ipsos survey of more than 25,000 participants in 25 countries. This is compounded by a recent cyber security study, which revealed nearly half of all internet traffic is now generated by bots.
But it’s not all bad news. Mr. Roberts maintains criminals haven’t caught up with how fast technology is moving forward, which is currently outpacing the “bad actors.” However, vigilance and having a plan are needed to repel or counter deepfake attacks.
Moves and Counter Moves
The rapid advancement of technology in fraud almost evokes nostalgia for the days when internet scams were just an email from a self-proclaimed prince in a foreign land who needed help transferring money. AI has given cybercriminals better tools, but it can also be used against them.
“The development of advanced deepfake detection tools using AI-driven algorithms is crucial to combat this threat. Collaborative efforts among AI developers, researchers, and tech companies are essential for creating robust security measures and raising awareness,” Nikita Sherbina, CEO of AIScreen, told The Epoch Times.
Mr. Sherbina said businesses can protect themselves by doubling down on tech. Essentially fighting digital fire with fire.
“Implement advanced AI-based authentication systems, including voice and facial recognition with multi-factor authentication. Continuous monitoring and analysis of communication patterns using AI algorithms can also help detect and prevent fraudulent activities,” he said.
But for individuals, disrupting or preventing a deepfake scam is simpler.
In the event of a suspected voice clone attack, Mr. Roberts said, “The first thing you do is say, ‘honey, I’m going to call you right back.'”
He noted that scammers will invent an excuse why you can’t call back to verify their identity. Another trick to derail criminals using cloned audio to fake a kidnapping is to ask the caller questions that aren’t in the public domain.
“Have this conversation with your family before it actually happens so they understand what you’re doing,” Mr. Roberts added.
He stressed the importance of not using individual email addresses with full names or numbers relevant to the user’s date of birth. Further, a person should never reuse a login password. Mr. Roberts noted the first thing hackers do when they snag a password is try logging into every possible site to see where else it works.
This includes bank accounts, cloud storage, social media, and more. But while deepfakes have raised the bar high for online scammers, the methods of tracking them down haven’t changed.
“The process doesn’t change. AI is just the content … but the breadcrumbs the criminals left, they’re always the same,” Mr. Ikoev said.
Tracking scammers may be well established, but a clear path for victims to recover lost money is not. Financial scams from deepfakes can range from $243,000 to $35 million, according to one analysis.
One example was a cryptocurrency hustle using a forged likeness of Elon Musk that reportedly cost U.S. consumers around $2 million over six months. Perhaps more troubling is that anyone can create them. Mr. Ikoev explained all someone needs to create a deepfake on their smartphone is a graphics card and to watch a few web tutorials.
“Then you’re good to go,” he said.
World of Possibilities
The timing of the upcoming U.S. presidential election in 2024 is precarious, given the surge in deepfake material. Mr. Roberts said Americans should expect an election race chock full of swindlers wielding an arsenal of deepfakes.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also expressed concern over the technology’s use, stating: “The threat of deepfakes and synthetic media comes not from the technology used to create it, but from people’s natural inclination to believe what they see.”
Yet Pandora’s box is already open. Earlier this year, videos emerged of U.S. politicians making strikingly out-of-character remarks. One involved Hillary Clinton endorsing Republican presidential candidate hopeful, Ron DeSantis. Another depicted President Joe Biden hurtling angry remarks at a transgender person. According to Mr. Roberts, this is just the beginning.
“It’s going to be used in a lot of political interference,” he said, adding this technology will make the next COVID-level event much worse for the public.
“I’m not talking misinformation as described by the liberal Left. I’m talking about deliberate lies to social engineer the whole world.”
Article cross-posted from our premium news partners at The Epoch Times.
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
America First Healthcare stands out as a private insurance agency dedicated to helping conservatives and families secure better coverage and better rates through customized, values-aligned options. By conducting free insurance reviews, the agency uncovers hidden gaps in existing policies and connects clients with private alternatives that emphasize personal responsibility, small-government principles, and genuine affordability—often delivering up to 20% savings while providing stronger protection for the American Dream.
The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
Take the experience of real families who made the switch. Amanda C. shared that her new plan felt “way better” than what she had through the marketplace. Johnny Y. noted his previous coverage kept increasing annually until he found a more stable private option. Sofia S. expressed delight with her plan and began recommending it to others. These stories echo a common theme: when families move beyond one-size-fits-all government marketplaces, they often discover customized protection that better safeguards both health and finances.
Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.