How to Detect Identity Spoofing

Every 6 months, the number of AI-generated deep fake videos has doubled since 2018. The number is increasing every day. According to a source, one fake identity goes undetected every 4 seconds. Unsuspected individuals are increasingly targeted now by Identity Spoofing attacks for different illicit reasons. Other alarming numbers show that almost 100,000 women were targeted by Identity Spoofing attacks. AI and other modern methods have fueled this social ill and now it is time to hit a striking blow against this crime. For this purpose, let us talk about how to detect Identity Spoofing today.

Belal Mahmoud

KYC Product Consultant

What is Identity Spoofing?

Identity Spoofing or simply spoofing is a malicious act in which a criminal disguises as another individual or a business entity. It is done for different illicit reasons such as carrying out a cyberattack, hacking, or money laundering. Spoofing is a sophisticated crime that requires a level of proficiency and fakeness that can go undetected.

Types of Identity Spoofing

1	Biometric Spoofing	It uses fake biometric verifiable data like (fingerprints, retina scans, voice or facial features) to bypass biometric identity verification checks. It is mostly used to bypass high-level security vaults having valuables like cash and jewelry.
2	Email Spoofing	Using fake email-Id to send spammy emails or conducting email scams. It is mostly used to commit account takeover fraud, crowdfunding fraud, etc.
3	Deepfake Spoofing	Using Generative-AI to create fake Identities and using them to commit fraud and other online illicit activities. It is used to commit various crimes like hacking, fraud and even cyberbullying.
4	IP Spoofing	Falsifying the IP Address using VPN and other techniques to bypass a restricted online zone or a website. It is used to access restricted data and download it illegally.
5	Social Media Spoofing	Creating fake profiles on social media to carry out hacking, fraud, and other cybercrimes. It is mostly used to commit romance fraud, steal personal data for ransom, and defame individuals.
6	Cover Identity	It is a false identity typically assumed by undercover personnel for legitimate reasons. For example, the DEA wants to intercept a drug deal and deploy agents disguised as cartel members or drug traffickers.
7	Ghost Identity	It is a broader term that encompasses most fake identities and is not traced. Ghost identities are used by criminals for fraud, hacking, and other illicit crimes.

Best Ways to Detect Identity Spoofing

To detect a spoofing attack in any form, a person can try the following methods to strengthen the anti-spoofing mechanisms.

Biometric Authentication

Using multi-factor biometric authentication can add an extra security layer to identity verification systems. Apply a combination of facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and other biometrics to make it difficult for spoofers to use a single biometric authenticator and make their illicit job near impossible.

Behavioral Analytics

Through employing anomaly detection techniques and pattern recognition, behavioral analytics act as a handy tool to detect spoofing on a professional scale.

Email Authentication

Validating the email senders through different authentication protocols such as, SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (Domain Keys Identified Mail), DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance).

Device Recognition

Device recognition is mostly used in recognizing mobile devices owned by users. It includes flagging and reporting unrecognized and suspicious devices attempting to access the service.

Real-Time Monitoring

Continuously monitoring activities and transactions of users by expert professionals.

The Role of KYC Solutions in Detecting Identity Spoofing

KYC (Know Your Customer) is a comprehensive customer onboarding system that ensures that even before a customer is onboarded it should be verified that the customer is authentic and a real person. Thus, it employs a combination of the above-discussed techniques to detect Spoofing, and other fraudulent activities related to Identities.

KYC Solutions contain:

Customer Identification Procedures (having different technologies, devices, and methods to identify customer identities)
Document Testing (to differentiate between fake and original documents through different testing methods)
Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR in which suspicious activities associated with a particular customer profile/account are reported)
Ongoing Monitoring (Regular monitoring of onboarded customers to detect any possible illicit activity)

To properly navigate through the KYC Tool’s capabilities and take full benefit of the deployed solution, KYC AML Guide is a premium source of required knowledge and expertise that caters to your need for guidance in choosing the right KYC Partner. Our Vendor Analysis and other research-based services are the best way to meet your compliance needs and help you stay ahead of your competition in regulating your business.

Belal Mahmoud

Belal possess over 8 years experience in the KYC Identity Verification industry. He has consulted KYC solutions for over 20 new economy companies at DIFC and ADGM while ensuring a seamless technical integration and helped in jurisdictional compliance audits.