Deepfake scams aimed at shops: five common tricks and how to stop them

Five deepfake tricks shops often meet

None of them needs a skilled attacker: tools to fake photos and clone voices are cheap and easy. They all aim at the moment you are busy and want it over quickly.

• AI-made photos of broken goods to claim a refund: sharp, well framed, but no unboxing video and no other angle on request.
• Fake video calls from a relative, friend or boss: very short, a bit stiff, then an urgent request to transfer to an unfamiliar account.
• A cloned voice of a supplier or courier saying the bank account for payments "changes from today".
• Fake videos of celebrities, or of your own shop, advertising wild discounts and sending customers to a copycat page.
• An edited payment screenshot with "I have paid, please ship it".

Warning signs

Vietnam's police and Ministry of Information and Communications have repeatedly listed the signs of deepfake calls. One sign is not proof, but two or three together mean stop and check.

• The call lasts seconds, the face shows little emotion, head and body movements do not match.
• Odd lighting or skin tone, sound out of sync with the lips, and "bad signal" as the reason to hang up.
• An urgent request to transfer to an account not in the caller's own name.
• In photos: warped text on labels, impossible seams or shadows, damage that looks painted on.

A routine that stops them

Set the rules in advance and apply them to everyone, so nobody has to guess in a hurry.

• Refunds: ask for an uncut unboxing video, or a photo taken now from another angle; check the order code and delivery date.
• Money requested on a call: do not send it straight away. Call back on a number you already had, or ask something only the real person knows.
• A supplier changing bank details: accept it only when confirmed through the old channel and in writing.
• Incoming payments: check your banking app, never a screenshot.
• Staff: brief them on this routine and name who may approve refunds.

When someone impersonates your shop

If you find a page or video pretending to be your shop, act fast so customers do not lose money in your name.

• Report the impersonation on the platform: Facebook, YouTube and TikTok all have a report option for fake pages and videos.
• Post a notice on your official channels with your real page names and bank accounts.
• If money was lost, keep the evidence and report it to the police.

Common questions

• Can an AI tool detect deepfakes?

  Detection tools exist, but none is reliable, and fakes keep getting better. The dependable check is still another channel: call back a saved number, ask for evidence taken right now.

• If I suspect a damage photo is fake, should I refuse the refund?

  Do not decide on suspicion alone. Politely ask for more evidence under your written returns policy; real customers can usually send it at once, scammers tend to give up.

• What if I already sent money to a scammer?

  Call your bank's hotline at once to report the fraud and request a trace, keep the messages, account number and any recording, then report it to the police.