There was a time when spotting an online scam was fairly easy. The strange grammar, suspicious link and unbelievable promise usually gave it away. Artificial intelligence is changing that.
Today, fraudsters can use AI to clone voices, manipulate videos and create convincing messages that appear to come from people you know. Africa Check has documented AI-generated videos using the likenesses of well-known Nigerians to promote questionable products and schemes.
Imagine receiving a WhatsApp voice note that sounds exactly like your brother: “Please send me ₦100,000. I’m stranded.” The voice could be fake. AI tools can recreate a person’s voice from short recordings available online. Deepfake videos can similarly make celebrities, executives or public figures appear to endorse investments they have never heard of.
The danger is that Nigerians can no longer depend only on what they see or hear as proof. Cybersecurity experts are increasingly calling for stronger digital verification and awareness as these tools improve.
The simplest protection?:
Verify before you act. Call the person directly, ask a question only they should know, and never send money simply because a familiar voice sounds desperate.
In the age of AI, hearing is no longer believing.
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