By Jackson Godwin. Cybersecurity Analyst & Penetration Tester.
Seeing Is No Longer Believing
After speaking to the real person, I sat quietly for several minutes.
I kept replaying the video call in my mind.
The face looked genuine.
The voice sounded authentic.
The conversation felt natural.
If I hadn’t made that verification call, I probably would have transferred the money without hesitation.
That experience changed the way I think about digital trust.
For years, we were taught:
“Seeing is believing.”
Today, that’s no longer always true.
The Biggest Warning Signs I Almost Ignored
Looking back, there were several clues that exposed the scam.
Here are the most important lessons I learned.
🚩 The Conversation Suddenly Became an Emergency
The call began with friendly conversation.
Only after my guard was down did the emergency appear.
The caller claimed they urgently needed financial help.
Scammers often create emotional pressure because people are less likely to question requests when they believe someone they care about is in trouble.
Whenever a conversation suddenly becomes urgent, slow down instead of speeding up.
🚩 They Didn’t Want Independent Verification
Every time I suggested another way to confirm their identity, they had an excuse.
“Don’t call me.”
“My microphone isn’t working.”
“My phone is damaged.”
Those excuses weren’t random.
They were designed to prevent me from discovering the truth.
A genuine friend, colleague or family member should understand if you want to verify their identity before sending money.
🚩 Small Technical Glitches
During the call I noticed:
- Brief video freezes.
- Slight lip-sync delays.
- Unnatural pauses.
- Occasional changes in lighting.
None of these alone proved it was fake.
Poor internet connections can cause similar issues.
However, when unusual technical behaviour is combined with urgent financial requests, it deserves extra attention.
🚩 They Asked for Money Immediately
The request wasn’t for advice.
It wasn’t for information.
It was for money.
Whenever someone unexpectedly asks you to transfer money during a phone or video call, especially under pressure, verify the request independently before taking any action.
🚩 Familiar Faces Can Be Misused
Many people share photos and videos on social media.
Some also appear in interviews, webinars or online meetings.
Unfortunately, publicly available images and recordings can sometimes be misused to create convincing impersonations.
Recognising someone’s face or voice is no longer enough on its own to confirm their identity.
How to Protect Yourself From AI Impersonation Scams
Technology continues to evolve, but good security habits remain effective.
Verify Through Another Trusted Method
If someone requests money or sensitive information:
- Call them using a number you already know.
- Send a separate message through a trusted contact.
- Speak to another family member or colleague if appropriate.
Never rely solely on the ongoing video call.
Don’t Make Financial Decisions Under Pressure
Scammers want immediate action.
Take your time.
Even a five-minute pause could reveal that something isn’t right.
Create a Family Verification Habit
Some families agree on simple ways to verify unusual requests.
For example, if someone unexpectedly asks for money, they confirm it through another trusted communication method before sending anything.
The important thing is having a verification process—not relying on appearances alone.
Be Careful About What You Share Publicly
Photos and videos are a normal part of modern life.
However, consider reviewing your privacy settings and think carefully before sharing sensitive personal information publicly.
The less information available to criminals, the harder it becomes for them to build convincing impersonation attempts.
Stay Informed About New Scams
AI technology is advancing rapidly.
Learning about new fraud techniques helps you recognise suspicious situations before they become expensive mistakes.
Awareness remains one of the strongest cybersecurity defences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can AI really imitate someone’s face and voice?
Yes.
Modern AI systems can generate realistic-looking images, voices and videos.
The quality varies, and not every fake is convincing, but the technology is improving quickly.
Does every strange video call mean it’s a deepfake?
No.
Poor internet connections, camera problems and software glitches can cause similar effects.
Instead of assuming a call is fake, verify unexpected requests through another trusted method.
What should I do if someone asks for money during a video call?
Pause.
Verify the request independently before sending any money.
A quick phone call or separate message could prevent a costly mistake.
Are businesses also targeted?
Yes.
AI impersonation scams have targeted individuals, businesses, executives and employees.
Attackers may attempt to trick people into authorising payments, revealing confidential information or changing financial details.
Final Thoughts
The fake video call wasn’t convincing because the technology was perfect.
It was convincing because it combined technology with psychology.
The criminal knew I trusted the person whose face appeared on my screen.
They relied on that trust.
Fortunately, one habit protected me.
I verified the request before acting.
Today, I follow one simple rule whenever someone asks for money during a call—whether it’s by voice or video:
Pause. Verify. Then decide.
Artificial intelligence will continue to improve.
But so can our security habits.
The strongest defence isn’t trying to detect every deepfake.
It’s refusing to make important decisions without independent verification.
About the Author
Jackson Godwin is a Cybersecurity Consultant specialising in Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS, Cloud Security, AI Security, and Digital Risk Management.
With years of experience helping organisations identify vulnerabilities, strengthen security controls, and improve cyber resilience, Jackson is passionate about making cybersecurity practical, easy to understand, and accessible to everyone.
Through JacksonTechnology.com.ng, he publishes cybersecurity awareness stories, ethical hacking tutorials, compliance guides, cloud security insights, AI security resources, and practical online safety tips to help individuals and businesses stay protected against evolving cyber threats.
His mission is to educate, empower, and inspire safer digital habits—one cybersecurity story at a time.
