Cyprus police issue warning against AI-driven deepfake fraud

On October 19, 2026, the Cyprus Police issued a formal warning to the public regarding the rise of sophisticated electronic fraud utilizing Artificial Intelligence. The initiative aligns with an international awareness campaign led by INTERPOL, aimed at curbing the illegal use of 'deepfake' technology in cybercrime.

Criminals are increasingly leveraging AI to create or manipulate video, image, and audio files, allowing them to convincingly impersonate colleagues, relatives, or acquaintances using minimal digital data harvested from the internet. Reported scenarios include fraudulent video calls from supposed coworkers requesting urgent fund transfers, fake emergency calls from family members, or online solicitations for financial aid. Authorities emphasize that these scams are often highly realistic and difficult to identify.

The police advise citizens not to rely solely on visual or auditory information during digital interactions, even if the person appears familiar. As these methods become more prevalent, the public is urged to maintain heightened skepticism and exercise caution when receiving unexpected requests for money or personal data, regardless of the perceived authenticity of the contact.