Is that really the Prime Minister? How to spot a deepfake scam

This looks like Prime Minister Mark Carney, telling you about a new way to make money. But it isn't really him, it's a fake made by a computer. A video like this cost one Ontario widow nearly a million dollars. In the next few minutes, I'll show you how to spot one.

Welcome to Tech with Patience. We go slowly here, so pause any time you need to.

A deepfake is a fake video or voice, made by a computer using artificial intelligence, so it looks and sounds like a real person. Scammers can make it seem like a famous person is saying anything they want, like telling you to invest your savings.

Here's how it happened to Judy, a widow in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She saw an ad on Facebook with what looked like the Prime Minister, promoting a cryptocurrency platform. It asked for just three hundred and fifty dollars to start. By the end, she had lost nearly one million dollars. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says stories like this are becoming increasingly common across Canada.

Scammers also make fake news pages so their ads look trustworthy. CBC News found this one. It looks like a real CBC article, with the Prime Minister announcing a new investment platform that pays thirty-five thousand dollars a month. None of it is real. CBC never wrote it.

So how can you tell? Here are five signs of a deepfake scam.

Sign number one: a famous face is selling you a way to make money. Prime ministers, news anchors and doctors don't sell investments in social media ads. If you see one doing it, assume it's fake until you check.

Sign number two: big money from a small start. Three hundred and fifty dollars that turns into thousands a month? Real investments don't work that way.

Sign number three: it rushes you. Look at this page. Registration closes soon, hurry up. Pressure to act fast is one of the oldest tricks there is.

Sign number four: look closely at the person. In fake videos, movements can look jerky. The person might not blink, or might blink strangely. The edges of the face can flicker, and shadows can look wrong.

Sign number five: listen closely. A fake voice can sound flat, choppy or a little robotic, like it's reading without any feeling.

And two more warning signs: being asked to pay with cryptocurrency, or to install an app so someone can help you on your computer. Never let a stranger into your computer.

So what should you do if you see one? First, don't click the ad, and don't scan any code on the screen. Second, check for yourself. Look up the story on a trusted news website, and check whether the company is registered at aretheyregistered dot C A. Third, report the ad to Facebook or YouTube, so fewer people see it.

And if you've already sent money, don't be embarrassed. Call your bank right away, then report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Their contact details are in the description.

Remember: if a famous face is selling you something, look twice. If this helped, share it with someone you love. Take care, and we'll see you next time.