Is That Really Them? How to Outsmart AI Deepfake Scams in Singapore (2026 Guide)

A True Helping Hand for Digital Inclusion

Imagine receiving a video call from your grandson. He looks like him, he sounds like him, and he’s frantically asking for $2,000 to pay an "urgent medical bill" or a "legal fine."

In the past, we could tell it was a scam because the voice sounded robotic or the lips didn't match the words. But in 2026, AI has become so advanced that scammers can clone a loved one's voice using just three seconds of audio from a Facebook or TikTok video.

At XIOHOO , we don't want you to be afraid of your phone. We want you to be the one who outsmarts the AI. Here is our expert guide to the "Verification Loop", the ultimate defense against deepfakes.

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The Myth of "Spotting the Glitch"

For years, we were taught to look for "unnatural blinking" or "blurry edges" to spot a deepfake. While those signs still exist, AI is getting better at hiding them.

Government experts at CSA Singapore and GovTech now advise that we should no longer rely solely on our eyes and ears. Instead, we must focus on verifying the source . If a caller is asking for money or personal info, you must treat it as a "Digital Emergency" and follow the loop.

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The XIOHOO 'Verification Loop' Framework

This 3-step process is your new digital armor. It’s designed to break the scammer's spell and prove who is actually on the other end.

Step 1: The Personal Fact Check

Ask a question that isn't on the internet. Scammers can find your birthday or your pet's name on social media. Instead, ask something deeply personal and unscripted:

• "What did we eat for dinner last Chinese New Year?"

• "What was the name of the primary school your father attended?"

• "Where did we hide the spare key to the house when you were ten?"

Step 2: The Out-of-Band Verification

If the caller claims to be your child or grandchild, hang up. Do not use the red "End Call" button if you think the phone is compromised; simply put the phone down. Use a different device (like a house phone) or a different app (message them on WhatsApp if they called on Telegram) to call them back on their saved, trusted number .

Step 3: The Visual Artifact Scan (For Video Calls)

If you are on a video call and suspicious, ask the person to do something specific:

• Ask them to turn their head quickly to the side.

• Ask them to wave their hand in front of their face.

• Why this works: Even the best AI often "breaks" or glitches when there is sudden, complex movement or a change in profile.

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The "Family Safe-Word": Your Low-Tech Hero

The most effective tool in 2026 is actually the simplest. Sit down with your children and grandchildren this weekend and decide on a Family Safe-Word .

It should be something random, like "Kopi-O-Kosong" or "Bishan Otter." If a family member ever calls you in a real emergency, they must say that word. If they can't, you know immediately it’s a deepfake. It’s a low-tech solution that even the smartest AI cannot guess.

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Use Your 2026 Support Network

Singapore has built a world-class safety net to help you. If you ever feel pressured or confused:

• Call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799: This is a 24/7 hotline dedicated to helping you verify scams.

• Use the ScamShield App: Ensure your app is updated to the latest 2026 version, which includes improved AI-detection for incoming messages.

• Provo Browser Extension: Keep an eye out for the new Provo tool launching this year, which helps verify the "nutrition labels" (metadata) of videos to see if they've been manipulated.

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Confidence is Your Best Defense

Technology is moving fast, but it can never replace your intuition and your connection to your family. You don't need to be an IT expert to stay safe; you just need to have a plan.

At XIOHOO , we specialize in making these high-tech threats easy to understand. We believe that with the right habits, our seniors can be the most secure users in Singapore’s Smart Nation .