27/10/2026
Reposting since we are getting several that are not getting proper video calls. They get in the call and see the face, maybe even hear them and this is being accepted. Please make sure to have a proper video call.
A longer Article today.. we asked Grok to word it and they were brilliant !
So many times we hear of video calls which were NOT video calls at all. DON'T ACCEPT LESS THAN TOTAL PROOF.
The rest of your life depends on it.
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GROK AI on proper video calls.
📽️A proper video call, in the context of verifying someone’s identity and distinguishing genuine interactions from potential romance scams, has specific characteristics that make it reliable and difficult for scammers to fake.
💝Romance scammers often avoid or manipulate video calls to maintain their deception, so here’s what defines a proper video call and why scammers shy away from it:
📽️Characteristics of a Proper Video Call
1 Live, Real-Time Interaction:
◦ The call is conducted in real time, with both parties visible on camera, engaging in natural conversation.
◦ There’s no noticeable lag, pre-recorded behavior, or scripted responses. You can ask the person to respond to specific prompts (e.g., “Show me something in your room”, stand up and turn around), and they comply immediately. Still harder using AI and not many scammers have such advanced AI capability.
2 Clear, Uninterrupted Video and Audio:
◦ The video feed is clear, showing the person’s face, surroundings, and movements without distortions, pixelation, or suspicious overlays.
◦ Audio matches the lip movements, and there’s no dubbing or unnatural voice effects.
3 Verifiable Environment:
◦ The background reflects a realistic, consistent setting (e.g., a home, office, or public place) that aligns with what the person has shared about their life.
◦ You can ask them to show specific objects or move the camera to confirm they’re in a real, physical space, not a staged or virtual background.
4 Spontaneous and Contextual Conversation:
◦ The person can answer questions about their day, recent events, or shared experiences without hesitation or vague responses.
◦ They can engage in casual, unscripted dialogue, which is harder to fake than rehearsed stories.
5 Platform Security:
◦ The call is conducted on a reputable, secure platform (e.g., Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Google Meet) where it’s harder to manipulate video feeds or use deepfake technology.
◦ The call isn’t rerouted through obscure apps or platforms that could mask the person’s identity.
6 Consistency with Known Information:
◦ The person’s appearance, voice, and mannerisms match what they’ve shared (e.g., photos, voice messages, or descriptions).
◦ They don’t avoid showing their face or make excuses to keep the camera off.
📽️💝Why Romance Scammers Avoid Proper Video Calls
Romance scammers typically avoid proper video calls because they rely on deception, and a genuine video call risks exposing their true identity or intentions. Here’s why:
1 Fake Identities:
◦ Scammers often use stolen photos or fabricated personas that don’t match their real appearance. A proper video call would reveal they aren’t the person in the photos they’ve shared.
2 Pre-Recorded or Manipulated Videos:
◦ Scammers may use pre-recorded videos, deepfake technology, or filters to impersonate someone else. However, a proper video call with real-time interaction and specific prompts (e.g.,’Turn the phone and show me the room’ makes it harder to sustain these tricks.
3 Excuses to Avoid Video:
◦ Common excuses include “My camera is broken,” “I’m in a bad signal area,” or “I’m shy.” These are red flags, as scammers use them to avoid being seen while maintaining the illusion of a relationship.
4 Geographic Discrepancies:
◦ Scammers often claim to be in one location (e.g., a specific country or city) but are actually elsewhere. A proper video call with a verifiable background could expose inconsistencies in their story.
5 Time and Effort:
◦ Setting up a convincing video call requires significant effort, resources, and risk for scammers, especially if they’re juggling multiple victims. It’s easier for them to stick to text, voice messages, or manipulated media.
🦹Tactics Scammers Use to Fake Video Calls
If a scammer agrees to a video call, they might use these tactics to maintain their deception, which fall short of a proper video call:
• Pre-Recorded Videos: They play a looped or pre-recorded clip that doesn’t allow for real-time interaction.
• Deepfakes or Filters: Advanced scammers may use AI-generated faces or filters to mimic someone else, but these often have glitches or unnatural movements.
• Poor Quality or Interruptions: They claim technical issues (e.g., bad lighting, frozen video) to avoid showing their face clearly.
• One-Way Video: They insist on seeing you but keep their camera off or show only a partial view (e.g., hands or a silhouette). Very dark room where unclear face.
• Redirecting to Unfamiliar Platforms: They suggest obscure apps that may allow them to manipulate the feed more easily. Or at the start of the call you see a logo come up with another app name.
📽️How to Ensure a Proper Video Call
To protect yourself from romance scams, take these steps during a video call:
• Request Specific Actions: Ask them to perform unique, spontaneous actions (e.g., “Write my name on a piece of paper” or “Show me your window”) to confirm it’s live. Switch the camera on to back camera and show me the rest of the room?
• Use Trusted Platforms: Stick to well-known video call apps with end-to-end encryption to reduce the risk of manipulation.
• Verify Consistency: Compare their appearance and surroundings with what they’ve shared previously.
• Be Wary of Excuses: Repeated refusals to video call or vague explanations are major red flags.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off (e.g., unnatural video quality, evasive answers), don’t ignore it.
➡️➡️Why It Matters
A proper video call is a critical tool for verifying someone’s identity in online relationships because it’s one of the hardest things for scammers to fake convincingly. By insisting on a live, clear, and interactive video call, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling for a romance scam. If the person consistently avoids or fails to provide a proper video call, it’s a strong indicator they may not be who they claim to be.Yes they can use AI and No it is still not convincing enough. You’d know.
If you’re dealing with someone you suspect might be a scammer, you can also cross-check their profile or behavior using other methods (e.g., reverse image search for their photos or checking their story for inconsistencies, come to ScamHaters United).
USE A.I. TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOUR FRIEND IS TELLING YOU.. JOB, LOCATION, MONEY REQUESTS ETC. Let AI work for you too.
Grok or ChatGPT
WORDS BY GROK A.I.
