Nigerian Yahoo Boys scammer groups are using real-time deepfake face-swapping technology during video calls to impersonate different identities in romance scams, defrauding victims of money by building false relationships using AI-generated fake personas.
Nigerian scammer groups known as Yahoo Boys have been using deepfake and face-swapping technology for romance scams since around May 2022, with a shift to real-time deepfake video calls over the past year. The scammers use face-swapping apps and software to completely change their appearance during live video calls with victims, typically using Zoom and other platforms. They employ two main technical setups: one using two phones with face-swapping apps and ring lights, and another using laptops with webcams and face-swapping software. The scammers can be seen on video showing their real faces alongside the fake deepfake personas they project to victims. Romance fraud resulted in more than $650 million in losses last year according to the FBI. The Yahoo Boys operate through Telegram channels with thousands of members, sharing techniques and selling services for various scams including business email compromise, crypto scams, and impersonation. Videos show scammers building intimate relationships with victims, telling them they love them and discussing deeply personal topics like eating disorders and depression. The scammers often promise to travel to meet victims and pay them back money, suggesting victims have already sent funds. The technology quality varies from obviously fake to increasingly convincing, with some systems able to change voice pitch, skin tone, hair, and eye color in real-time.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to gain a personal advantage over others such as through cheating, fraud, scams, blackmail or targeted manipulation of beliefs or behavior. Examples include AI-facilitated plagiarism for research or education, impersonating a trusted or fake individual for illegitimate financial benefit, or creating humiliating or sexual imagery.
Human
Due to a decision or action made by humans
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed