For many years, a video call was considered a reliable way to confirm that someone was who they claimed to be. If you had doubts about an online contact, seeing and speaking to them on FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom or another video platform could provide considerable reassurance.
Today, that is no longer enough on its own.
Advances in artificial intelligence mean it is possible to manipulate faces, voices and video feeds, sometimes in real time. Deepfake technology, AI-generated voices and virtual camera software can all potentially be misused to create a convincing false identity.
This does not mean every unusual video call is fraudulent. Poor internet connections, lighting, compression and ordinary video effects can cause strange visual behaviour. However, if money, confidential information or an important personal decision is involved, a video call should form only one part of the identity verification process.
Can Someone Fake Their Identity on a Live Video Call?
Yes. Technology can be used to disguise or misrepresent someone’s identity during a live video call.
A sophisticated fraudster may attempt to alter their appearance, manipulate their voice or introduce pre-recorded or artificially generated content into a call.
This is important because simply asking a suspicious contact to “prove” their identity by appearing on camera may no longer provide the reassurance it once did.
What Is a Deepfake Video Call?
A deepfake is digitally generated or manipulated media designed to make a person appear to say or do something they did not actually say or do.
Artificial intelligence can be used to manipulate facial appearance, expressions and voice. Some technology can perform these changes quickly enough for the manipulation to appear during a live conversation.
The person you see and hear may therefore not necessarily be the person they claim to be.
How Can Someone Fake a Video Call?
There are several ways in which video communications can potentially be manipulated.
Real-Time Deepfake Technology
AI-based software can alter a person’s facial appearance during a live video stream. More sophisticated systems may attempt to reproduce facial expressions and movements while the person behind the technology speaks.
AI Voice Cloning
Artificial intelligence can also generate speech intended to resemble another person’s voice.
Depending on the technology and source material available, voice cloning systems may use existing recordings to imitate characteristics of someone’s speech.
This means hearing a familiar voice should not automatically be treated as definitive proof of identity, particularly when an unexpected request for money or sensitive information is involved.
Virtual Camera Software
Virtual cameras allow software-generated or pre-recorded content to be supplied to an application as though it were coming directly from a webcam.
This technology has many legitimate uses in broadcasting, presentations and online content creation. However, like many digital tools, it can also be misused.
Pre-Recorded or Manipulated Video
Not every fake video call requires sophisticated artificial intelligence.
Pre-recorded footage, manipulated media or carefully prepared video clips can potentially be used to give the impression that an interaction is taking place live.
For this reason, appearing on camera should be considered one element of identity verification rather than conclusive proof.
How Can You Spot a Fake Video Call?
There is no single visual test that can reliably identify every manipulated video call. However, certain inconsistencies may provide a reason to conduct further checks.
Possible warning signs can include:
- Unusual or inconsistent facial movements.
- Speech and lip movements that do not appear properly synchronised.
- Unexpected changes around the face, hair or background.
- Sudden changes in image quality when the person moves.
- Repeated reluctance to complete reasonable independent identity checks.
- Personal, professional or financial information that cannot be independently verified.
- Pressure to make payments or disclose sensitive information quickly.
None of these signs proves that somebody is using a deepfake.
Video compression, poor connections, lighting and webcam quality can produce similar effects. Independent verification is therefore considerably more reliable than attempting to identify a sophisticated deepfake by eye.
Why Would Someone Fake Their Identity on a Video Call?
False or manipulated identities can potentially be used in several types of fraud.
Business Impersonation and Payment Fraud
Fraudsters may attempt to impersonate directors, senior employees, suppliers or other trusted individuals when requesting payments or confidential information.
A convincing video or voice interaction may make an unusual instruction appear more credible.
Businesses should therefore maintain independent payment verification procedures, particularly where there has been an unexpected change to bank details or an urgent request for a financial transfer.
Family and Emergency Scams
Fraudsters may impersonate relatives and claim that an emergency has occurred, potentially asking for money to cover medical expenses, legal costs or another urgent situation.
If you receive this type of request, independently contacting the person through a telephone number you already know, or speaking to another trusted family member, can help establish what has actually happened.
Romance Scams and Catfishing
For somebody involved in an online relationship, agreeing to a video call can feel like an important confirmation that the other person is genuine.
Unfortunately, a successful video conversation should not automatically override other inconsistencies.
Concerns may remain where someone’s claimed identity, employment, location or personal circumstances cannot be independently verified, particularly where requests for money subsequently begin.
Identity and Account Fraud
Stolen or synthetic identities may also be used in attempts to deceive businesses and financial organisations.
This is why organisations increasingly need several layers of identity verification rather than relying on one form of evidence.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Fake Identity?
If something does not appear right, avoid making accusations based solely on suspicion.
Instead, look for information that can be independently verified.
This may involve checking claimed employment or business interests, confirming contact details through independent sources, examining inconsistencies in the person’s background and verifying important information without relying exclusively on documents or evidence supplied by the individual concerned.
If money is involved, do not allow apparent urgency to replace normal verification procedures.
For businesses, significant or unusual payment requests should be confirmed through an established communication channel using independently verified contact information.
How Can Global Investigations Help Verify an Online Identity?
Global Investigations has been conducting private and corporate investigations since 1994. We help private individuals, businesses and legal professionals establish facts through lawful, proportionate and discreet investigation.
Where there are concerns about a false online identity, possible deepfake content, catfishing or impersonation, an investigation may combine technical examination with wider identity and Background Checks.
This wider approach is important because a video file rarely tells the entire story.
Digital Media and Forensic Examination
Where suitable material is available, specialist examination may help identify characteristics or inconsistencies that warrant further investigation.
Depending on the quality and format of the material supplied, examination may consider:
- Video and audio characteristics.
- Available file metadata.
- Encoding and compression information.
- Possible editing or processing indicators.
- Visual and audio inconsistencies.
- Other technical anomalies within the supplied material.
There are important limitations.
A recording that has been heavily compressed, copied, uploaded to another platform or recorded from another screen may contain significantly less useful technical information than an original file.
Our role is not to assume that unusual-looking video is fraudulent. Findings should be based on the evidence available and clearly distinguish between what can be established and what remains uncertain.
Identity and Background Verification
In many cases, investigating the identity behind the screen can provide more useful information than examining the video alone.
Depending on the circumstances, our investigators may use lawful sources and investigative techniques including:
- Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).
- Corporate and business records.
- Publicly available information.
- Digital footprint research.
- Background checks.
- Verification of employment or business interests.
- Cross-referencing information associated with a claimed identity.
The objective is straightforward: to establish whether independent evidence supports what you have been told.
Can Investigators Identify Stolen Photographs or Videos?
Potentially.
Where someone is suspected of using another person’s photographs, videos or other publicly available material, investigators may be able to identify where that content previously appeared or establish connections with another identity.
However, finding the original source is not always possible. Material may have been altered, deleted, privately obtained or reproduced many times.
A professional investigation should therefore distinguish clearly between confirmed findings, inconsistencies and information that cannot be established.
Can You Trace Someone’s Location from a Video Call?
A video call does not automatically reveal someone’s precise physical location.
Investigators also cannot simply access private IP information, accounts or communications without lawful authority.
VPNs, proxy services and other technologies can further complicate attempts to establish where someone is located.
Where lawful technical information is available, it may contribute to a wider investigation. Claimed locations can also sometimes be compared with other legally obtained evidence and Open Source Intelligence.
Global Investigations does not hack accounts, intercept private communications, bypass passwords or unlawfully access private records.
Is It Legal to Investigate Someone Using a Fake Identity?
Investigating suspected fraud or identity deception can be lawful, but how information is obtained is extremely important.
Professional investigations should be necessary, proportionate and conducted in accordance with applicable UK legislation and data protection requirements.
Global Investigations conducts enquiries professionally and ethically, with confidentiality, client privacy and GDPR compliance forming an important part of our investigative process.
What Evidence Can a Private Investigator Obtain?
The evidence available depends on the circumstances and the lawful sources available to investigators.
An investigation may potentially produce:
- Background intelligence.
- Corporate and business records.
- Publicly available digital evidence.
- Connections between online identities.
- Evidence of conflicting biographical information.
- Analysis of supplied video or audio material.
- Documented investigative findings.
Where information may eventually be required for legal proceedings, accurate record keeping and a clear distinction between established facts and assumptions are particularly important.
Why Choose Global Investigations?
Global Investigations has been operating since 1994 and has completed more than 12,500 successful cases.
Our investigators work across private, corporate, legal and technical matters, with investigative capability extending across 122 countries.
Every case is different. We take time to understand what has happened, what information you already have and what you need to establish before recommending an appropriate investigative approach.
Our work is built around experience, discretion, integrity and results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fake Video Calls
Can someone completely fake their face during a live video call?
Technology can be used to alter aspects of someone’s appearance during live video. The sophistication and quality of the manipulation varies considerably. Unusual visual behaviour alone does not prove that a video has been manipulated.
Can AI clone someone’s voice?
AI technology can generate synthetic speech intended to resemble another person’s voice. A familiar-sounding voice should therefore not be relied upon as the only form of verification when important financial or personal decisions are involved.
Does a video call prove someone is real?
No single video call should be considered definitive proof of someone’s identity. A video conversation can provide useful information, but important details should be independently verified where there is reason for concern.
How can I verify someone I met online?
Verification may involve checking the person’s claimed identity, employment, business interests, location and digital footprint against independent sources. The appropriate checks depend on the circumstances and must always be conducted lawfully.
Can a private investigator find out if I am being catfished?
A private investigator may be able to investigate the identity behind an online profile by cross-referencing legally available records, digital footprints and other information. What can be established depends on the quality and quantity of reliable information available.
Can a private investigator analyse a suspicious video?
Potentially. The usefulness of forensic examination depends heavily on the quality and format of the material. Original files will generally contain more useful technical information than heavily compressed or copied recordings.
How long does an identity investigation take?
Every investigation is different. Straightforward background enquiries may be resolved relatively quickly, while international identities, sophisticated fraud or cases with limited starting information can require more extensive investigation.
Will the person know they are being investigated?
Investigations are normally handled discreetly. The precise approach will depend on the circumstances, legal considerations and objectives of the enquiry.
When in Doubt, Seek Independent Verification
AI-generated video and voice technology has changed the way we should think about online identity verification.
Seeing someone on a screen can provide reassurance, but it should no longer be regarded as absolute proof that the person is who they claim to be. Equally, an unusual or poor-quality video call does not automatically mean that you are dealing with a fraudster.
The safest approach is to rely on independently verified facts.
If you are concerned that an online contact, business associate or another individual may be using a false identity, Global Investigations can assess the information available and advise on appropriate next steps.
Speak to our team for a confidential discussion about your circumstances.
