Understanding the Deepfake Fraud Targeting President Prabowo: Here's How It Works and How to Identify It

In recent discussions, the topic of deepfake fraud has gained significant attention, especially cases involving the impersonation of public officials, including President Prabowo Subianto, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The Cyber Crime Directorate (Dittipidsiber) of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has successfully apprehended a fraudster utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) deepfake technology to impersonate these state officials.

How Is Deepfake Fraud Conducted?

In the most recent incidents, the perpetrators created videos or audio recordings that closely resemble President Prabowo's likeness. This modus operandi is aimed at spreading false information or deceiving victims for financial gain, such as soliciting donations or influencing public opinion.

The deepfake technique is particularly dangerous because it can convince victims that the content is coming from a trustworthy source. For instance, a video might appear to show President Prabowo giving direct instructions, when in reality, it’s a form of digital manipulation.

Why Is Deepfake Dangerous?

The primary danger of deepfake lies in its ability to disseminate credible-looking false information. On a minor scale, deepfake can be used for individual scams, but on a larger scale, this technology could be leveraged for propaganda, potentially influencing elections or even heightening geopolitical tensions.

Moreover, the psychological impact on victims shouldn't be overlooked. Those targeted by deepfake scams often experience confusion, helplessness, and difficulty distinguishing between real and fake information.

How to Identify Deepfake?

Although deepfake content is becoming increasingly sophisticated, it still has identifiable weaknesses. Here are some tips on how to recognize deepfake content:

• Inspect the face: Deepfake manipulation often focuses on facial transformations.
• Look at the cheeks and forehead: Skin may appear overly smooth or have unnatural wrinkles.
• Check the eyes and eyebrows: Shadows or light reflections may not align correctly.
• Examine eyewear: Glares on glasses might appear unnatural.
• Observe facial hair: Mustaches or beards may look unrealistic.
• Look for moles: Small details like moles can seem off.
• Notice blinking: Individuals in deepfake content often blink unnaturally.
• Check the lips: The color and size of the lips may not match the face.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Deepfake Fraud?

To protect oneself from deepfake fraud schemes, consider the following steps:

• Verify information: Don't immediately trust videos or audios that seem suspicious. Look for confirmation from official sources.
• Enhance digital literacy: Learn how to identify deepfake content and be aware of its warning signs.
• Utilize deepfake detection technology: Several applications and services are designed to detect fraudulent content.
• Report suspicious content: If you come across what you suspect is a deepfake, report it to the authorities immediately.

The deepfake fraud involving President Prabowo highlights how sophisticated and dangerous this technology can be when misused. While it has its benefits in the entertainment and tech industries, deepfake needs to be monitored to prevent it from being abused for spreading false information or committing fraud.

deepfake, fraud, technology