What you see online isn’t always the truth — and sometimes, it’s not even real.
From fake political speeches to AI-generated news anchors, deepfakes are no longer just sci-fi concepts. They’re now tools for scams, propaganda, reputation damage, and social engineering — and anyone can be a target.
We now live in a world where a video of a trusted leader can be entirely fake… yet completely believable.
What Are Deepfakes?
Deepfakes are hyper-realistic but fake audio, video, or images generated using AI and deep learning.
They make it appear that someone said or did something they never actually did.
These are not just for entertainment — they’re used for fraud, blackmail, disinformation, and social manipulation.
Real-World Case: The CEO Scam (2023, UAE)
A bank manager in the UAE received a call from a “client” who sounded exactly like the company’s CEO — complete with accurate voice, tone, and background noise.
The manager followed instructions and transferred $35 million to various accounts.
What he didn’t know?
The entire voice call was a deepfake AI clone. The CEO was never on the call.
Misinformation: The Silent Epidemic
It’s not just deepfakes — misinformation (false or misleading information) spreads 6x faster than the truth online.
Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok have made it easy for:
- Fake medical advice to go viral
- Doctored videos of violence to stir hate
- False headlines to influence elections
- Scam investment schemes to lure victims
In 2020, a viral post claimed garlic could cure COVID-19. It was shared over 250,000 times in 48 hours. Several people landed in hospitals after consuming excessive raw garlic.
The Threats: What’s At Risk?
- Public Trust – In elections, fake videos can sway public opinion.
- Reputation – Deepfakes can be used to frame someone for crimes or infidelity.
- Finance – Deepfake voices or identities can trick people into authorizing bank transfers.
- Social Chaos – Misinformation fuels riots, panic, and tribal conflict.
How to Spot & Verify Online Content
- Do a Reverse Image Search
Use Google Images or TinEye to check if a photo has appeared elsewhere.
Fake posts often reuse old or unrelated photos with false context.
- Watch for Inconsistencies in Videos
- Blinking looks unnatural or too frequent
- Lip movement doesn’t match speech
- Shadows, lighting, or reflections are off
- Ears, teeth, or jewelry appear distorted
Pro Tip: Watch with the sound off — sometimes visual clues are more obvious without distractions.
- Check the Source
- Is it a verified account?
- Is it a reputable news outlet?
- Does the domain look suspicious? (e.g., bbc-news.co ≠ bbc.com)
- Use Fact-Checking Platforms
- Africa Check (for African news)
- Snopes
- PolitiFact
- Google Fact Check Tools
These platforms verify viral claims and provide original context.
- Analyze the Emotions It Triggers
Fake content is designed to provoke outrage, fear, or sympathy.
If your first reaction is “How could they do this?!”, pause and verify before sharing.
Real-World Example: Lagos Protest Video (2021)
A video went viral showing armed officers allegedly shooting protesters at a #EndSARS rally in broad daylight.
It spread fast, triggering public unrest.
Fact-checkers later confirmed:
- The footage was from a different country in 2019.
- Uniforms were digitally altered.
- Audio was edited to match recent events.
Lesson: Not all viral videos are truthful — and in a digital world, false context is as dangerous as false content.
How to Stay Safe in the Age of Deepfakes
Don’t Share Until You’re Sure
Follow Verified News Sources
Think Critically – Ask: Who posted this? What do they gain if I believe it?
Use Tools –
- InVID (video verification plugin)
- Deepware Scanner (detects deepfake audio)
- FotoForensics (image analysis)
Final Word: In a Post-Truth Era, Truth Requires Effort
We’ve entered the post-truth era — where seeing is no longer believing.
Whether it’s an AI voice calling you for money or a video of your favorite leader saying something outrageous, remember this:
If it shocks you, verify it.
Because today, truth can be faked in 4K.
