In 2026, deepfakes became widely used as tools for fraud, theft, and bypassing KYC. According to TRM Labs, the AI usage index in crime rose from 28 points in 2024 to 54 in 2026. Losses from deepfake fraud in the first months of 2026 already exceeded the total for 2025 by 263%. Fraudsters use deepfakes to clone voices, faces, and documents. Their schemes include impersonating executives and relatives to obtain transfers or confidential information, as well as romantic scams where AI generates photos and videos, maintaining multiple dialogues simultaneously. A notable example was the case with Arup, where $25 million was stolen using deepfakes.
According to Deloitte forecasts, losses from fraud using generative AI in the US could grow from $12.3 billion in 2023 to $40 billion by 2027. Between 2025 and 2026, the FBI repeatedly warned about the use of synthetic videos and voices to impersonate officials and law enforcement. University of California, Berkeley researcher Hany Farid notes that the quality of deepfakes allows them to bypass video identity checks, posing a serious problem for the crypto industry. Security issues are becoming increasingly relevant against the backdrop of technological advancements, creating risks for the financial sector and ordinary users.
To recognize deepfakes, experts advise paying attention to signs such as unnatural blinking, facial or mouth movements, image distortions, and desynchronization of voice with lip movements. The FBI recommends using an independent communication channel to confirm identity, which can prevent fraud. The deepfake situation not only poses financial risks but also legal issues. For example, in January 2026, Ashley St. Clair filed a lawsuit against xAI for creating explicit deepfakes without her consent. In this context, the research work of companies engaged in protection against deepfakes becomes important for ensuring the safety of users and businesses.
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