INTERPOL Launches Campaign Warning of AI Deepfake Scams
INTERPOL has launched a public-awareness campaign warning that artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to create convincing fake voices, videos and images for financial fraud and identity impersonation. Announced on 18 October 2026 in Singapore, the initiative aims to help the public recognise synthetic-media scams and encourage law enforcement to strengthen its response.
The campaign features three short videos generated using AI to demonstrate how manipulated media can deceive people. INTERPOL said generative AI tools have become easier to access, allowing criminals to imitate real people using relatively small amounts of publicly available audio or visual material.
According to INTERPOL, synthetic-media scams can involve a supposed family member requesting emergency funds, a colleague demanding an urgent bank transfer, or an online romantic partner attempting to obtain money or sensitive information.
The organisation also warned about the use of manipulated media in investment fraud, sextortion and other forms of impersonation. These schemes can cross national borders, complicating investigations that require cooperation between police agencies, financial institutions and digital platforms.
Forensic investigators may need to examine original audio and video files, message histories, account records and payment trails to establish how a suspected scam was conducted. Metadata and technical indicators can provide useful leads, but no single indicator necessarily proves that media has been manipulated. Establishing authenticity may require multiple forms of corroborating evidence.
INTERPOL's campaign promotes the message “Wait. Validate. Don’t take the bait.” It advises people to verify suspicious requests through a separate, trusted communication channel rather than relying on the voice or appearance of the caller.
The organisation also recommends using two-factor authentication and establishing verification phrases with family members or trusted contacts.
The initiative forms part of Project SynthWave PLUS, which supports law enforcement in addressing threats linked to synthetic media, particularly in Southeast Asia and beyond.
The campaign highlights a growing challenge for digital forensics: investigators must increasingly distinguish genuine digital communications from AI-generated or altered content while preserving evidence that can withstand scrutiny.