$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
AI deepfake scams/Video call
deepfake real estate agent scam
Scammers use AI deepfake video to impersonate a real estate agent or property owner on video calls, redirecting earnest money deposits or rental payments to fraudulent accounts.
“deepfake scam”
↑ 495%Key indicators
Usually targetsHome buyers
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.4K
median reported loss
Typical range$90 – $9.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers identify a real listing and the associated real estate agent, gathering their photos and videos from public profiles.
2
They create a deepfake to impersonate the agent on video calls with prospective buyers or renters.
3
Victims are instructed to wire deposit funds to accounts controlled by the scammers, often losing tens of thousands of dollars.
What to do first
Always verify wire instructions by calling the title company or real estate brokerage at their publicly listed phone number.
Related terms
fake real estate video callAI property agent fraudAI deepfake scamsVideo callRisingHome buyersRentersReal estate investorsReal estate professionals and homebuyersInvestors and tradersUnited StatesCanadaUnited Kingdomfake real estate video callAI property agent fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Megan, 35, a home buyers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate ai deepfake scams situation while using Video call. Scammers identify a real listing and the associated real estate agent, gathering their photos and videos from public profiles.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They create a deepfake to impersonate the agent on video calls with prospective buyers or renters.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Victims are instructed to wire deposit funds to accounts controlled by the scammers, often losing tens of thousands of dollars.
The outcome
Megan realized something was wrong when agent insists on conducting all business via video call and refuses in-person meetings. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Always verify wire instructions by calling the title company or real estate brokerage at their publicly listed phone number. Megan's experience shows why agent insists on conducting all business via video call and refuses in-person meetings and wire instructions are sent from a personal email rather than the title company's domain are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Agent insists on conducting all business via video call and refuses in-person meetings
- Wire instructions are sent from a personal email rather than the title company's domain
- Urgency to transfer deposit before other buyers make an offer
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Always verify wire instructions by calling the title company or real estate brokerage at their publicly listed phone number.
- ✓Insist on at least one in-person meeting before transferring any funds.
- ✓Report real estate fraud to the FBI's IC3 and your state real estate commission.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FBI's IC3 reported that real estate wire fraud losses exceeded 145 million USD in 2023, with AI-enhanced impersonation tactics becoming a growing concern.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Always verify wire instructions by calling the title company or real estate brokerage at their publicly listed phone number.
- ✓Insist on at least one in-person meeting before transferring any funds.
- ✓Report real estate fraud to the FBI's IC3 and your state real estate commission.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FBI's IC3 reported that real estate wire fraud losses exceeded 145 million USD in 2023, with AI-enhanced impersonation tactics becoming a growing concern.
FBI IC3 Annual Report 2023
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Home buyers, Renters, Real estate investors
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia
Primary channel
Video call — AI deepfake scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Home buyers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FBI's IC3 reported that real estate wire fraud losses exceeded 145 million USD in 2023, with AI-enhanced impersonation tactics becoming a growing concern.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 Annual Report 2023
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about deepfake real estate agent scam
How does the deepfake real estate agent scam work?+
Scammers identify a real listing and the associated real estate agent, gathering their photos and videos from public profiles. They create a deepfake to impersonate the agent on video calls with prospective buyers or renters. Victims are instructed to wire deposit funds to accounts controlled by the scammers, often losing tens of thousands of dollars.
What are the warning signs of deepfake real estate agent scam?+
Agent insists on conducting all business via video call and refuses in-person meetings Wire instructions are sent from a personal email rather than the title company's domain Urgency to transfer deposit before other buyers make an offer
What should I do if I encounter deepfake real estate agent scam?+
Always verify wire instructions by calling the title company or real estate brokerage at their publicly listed phone number. Insist on at least one in-person meeting before transferring any funds. Report real estate fraud to the FBI's IC3 and your state real estate commission.
Who is most at risk for deepfake real estate agent scam?+
This scam primarily targets Home buyers, Renters, Real estate investors. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Video call.
Is deepfake real estate agent scam on the rise?+
deepfake real estate agent scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA, UK, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
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