The Officer on Your Screen Isn’t Real: How Deepfake Video Calls Work
You answer a video call. The person on the other end is in uniform, sitting at what looks like an official desk. They have a badge. They say they’re from the Canada Revenue Agency or the RCMP, and that there’s a serious problem with your account — or a warrant for your arrest. They seem completely real.
They are not.
Deepfake video technology now allows scammers to put a realistic-looking face and uniform on a video call in real time. It doesn’t require a film studio. It runs on a laptop. And it’s being used right now against Canadians.
What “Deepfake” Actually Means
A deepfake is a video or image that has been generated or altered by AI to show something that didn’t actually happen — including showing a face that isn’t the person’s real face.
In the context of scam calls, a deepfake video works like a live filter. The scammer appears on your screen looking like a uniformed officer or government official. The AI is mapping a fake face and uniform over the scammer’s real appearance in real time. The effect isn’t always perfect, but it’s convincing enough — especially when you’re already alarmed by what they’re saying.
This technology is widely available and increasingly easy to use. The barrier to running a deepfake scam is lower than it’s ever been.
What These Calls Look Like in Canada
The most common version of this scam in Canada follows what’s sometimes called a “digital arrest” format. Here’s how it tends to unfold:
You receive an unexpected video call. The caller identifies themselves as a CRA agent, an RCMP officer, or a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) official. They tell you that your Social Insurance Number (SIN) has been flagged for fraud, that there’s a warrant out for your arrest, or that your bank accounts have been linked to criminal activity.
They may show you a fake badge, a fake arrest warrant, or a fake computer screen with your “file” on it. Then they tell you not to hang up, not to contact anyone, and that you must cooperate immediately to avoid arrest or account seizure.
The goal is to keep you frightened, isolated, and compliant long enough to get money from you — usually through e-Transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
The Visual Tells That Reveal a Fake
Deepfakes have gotten better, but they still leave traces. Here’s what to look for:
Edge blurring around the face and hair. AI-generated faces often have soft, slightly blurry edges where the face meets the background or hairline. Real video doesn’t look like that.
Unnatural blinking or eye movement. Eyes in deepfakes sometimes blink too little, blink at odd times, or look slightly off when moving side to side.
Lighting inconsistencies. If the light on the person’s face doesn’t match the light in the room they appear to be in, that’s a signal.
Mouth sync problems. Words and lip movements that feel slightly delayed or mismatched — even by a fraction of a second — can indicate AI rendering.
The face goes strange when it turns. Deepfakes often break down at extreme angles. If you ask the caller to turn their head and the image distorts or freezes, that’s meaningful.
What Real Agencies Actually Do
This is important: the CRA, the RCMP, and CBSA do not make video call demands. Real government agencies contact you by mail first. They do not call you on video and demand immediate payment or personal information under threat of arrest.
The RCMP and CRA have both issued public statements confirming they will never demand gift card payments, cryptocurrency, or e-Transfer under any circumstances.
If you receive a call claiming to be from one of these agencies, the call itself — regardless of what you see on your screen — is the signal.
One thing to do: If you receive a video call from someone claiming to be a government official, hang up. Then call the agency directly using the number on their official website — canada.ca for CRA, rcmp-grc.gc.ca for the RCMP — to verify whether there is actually any issue with your account. Do not use any number the caller gave you.
Report suspicious calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca.