Forgery

2024

Fraudsters using deepfakes forge documents of Russians

Fraudsters have learned to fake citizens' documents using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. As before, when creating digital fake copies, they either change the numbers or try to pass off an invalid document as valid, but now deepfakes are also used for this purpose for the process of authentication and data synthesis. Such information on May 8, 2024 with TAdviser was shared in the press service of the State Duma deputy RFAnton Nemkin with reference to Izvestia.

Freepik

For example, attackers already know how to create a photo for a document that at the same time looks like both the face of the passport holder and the fraudster himself - artificial intelligence can simply combine two images.

The method of creating fake documents does not lose popularity when the leaked data of one person and a photo of another are used. In this case, fraudsters simplify the work of an ever-growing number of data leaks - only since the beginning of 2024, more than half a billion data on Russian citizens have leaked to the network.

Various security systems are used to authenticate documents. These are services and databases of invalid documents, as well as anti-fraud systems based on AI, which helps to simplify the process of identifying a client - for example, to identify elements that are difficult to interpret by humans in images, such as anomalies in noise distribution.

Nevertheless, in order to protect yourself, you should be especially careful when sending copies of important documents in foreign messengers, said Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications.

"Unfortunately, one of the main threats to the use of foreign messengers in the context of sanctions has become possible leaks of personal data of citizens and their misuse. In particular, copies of your documents, which fraudsters can then use, can also "leak," the deputy said.

According to him, there are cases when attackers stole copies of documents, and then used them to convince the user's acquaintances that the account was not hacked, and a person really needs to "urgently transfer a large amount of money," for example. At the same time, in case of account hacking, support services for foreign messengers may refuse to cooperate with Russian users and not assist in solving the problem in any way, but create the appearance of the legitimacy of the decisions made. Therefore, in the event of deception by cybercriminals in a foreign messenger, it will be more difficult for citizens than in the domestic one to obtain information about an attacker or other evidence in order to protect their rights.

"This is another good reason to abandon their use in favor of domestic platforms or at least try to reduce the amount of your personal data stored on foreign platforms as much as possible," the parliamentarian continued.

At the same time, the situation with fake documents also works in the opposite direction, Nemkin emphasized, adding that users should be prepared for the fact that they may encounter fake copies of other people's documents. Therefore, it is important to independently verify the authenticity of documents, paying attention even to small details.

"And if you have suspicions that someone has forged your documents and is actively using them in the digital environment, I recommend that you promptly contact the law enforcement agencies and the Center for Legal Assistance to Citizens in the Digital Environment of the Federal State Unitary GRCC Enterprise" "- this is a subordinate institution, you Roskomnadzor can get legal assistance there for free," concluded Anton Nemkin.

Artificial intelligence began to be used to forge documents

The OnlyFake website has appeared on the Internet, with the help of which any user can create a photo of fake documents, Izvestia said in a statement. At the same time, there is no data on the creators of the service anywhere. This was announced on February 13, 2024 by the press service of the State Duma deputy RFAnton Nemkin.

The service operates on the basis neuronets and can create fake photos of both a passport and a driver's license. Image generation takes minutes, while the cost of the service is relatively low - only about 1.4 thousand. rubles For February 2024, using the neural network, you can get photographs of passports and driver's licenses 26, states including,,,, and Russia USA Great Britain Australia a number. Canada countries European Union

To generate an image, just select a template, write the necessary information and upload a photo. Then the AI processes the request and in a short time creates a document that can be disguised as an "unsuccessful" photo for greater conviction, "said Pyotr Kutsenko, head of the R-Vision Endpoint component of R-Vision.

Photographs of documents forged using neural networks can become a dangerous tool in the hands of attackers. For example, in this way you can try to write down a site in the username that disseminates illegal information, take a small loan (in the event of an interception of control over the victim's communication channels), issue a SIM card and even try to register a one-day company, experts warn.

According to Izvestia, as of February 13, 2024, the service is not available. So, the opening of the Internet page is accompanied by the inscription - "Site is down. Everything will be restored soon. " Everything will be restored soon ").

Analogues of the OnlyFake service have long been on the market, the deputy noted.

This requires a balance. Excessive regulation can lead to the fact that the development of technology, if not stopped, will significantly slow down. Some countries have already faced this. The legal framework should be flexible, but limiting the use of technology for unlawful purposes, he added.

The issue of labeling content created using AI is already being actively worked out.

2023: The number of court cases using forged documents in Russia in 3 years increased by 43%

In the period from 2019 to 2022, the number of cases using forged documents in Russia increased by 43%. This is stated in a study by Smart Engines and Intellect, the results of which were published in early May 2024.

According to the Izvestia newspaper, the authors of the report analyzed the statistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the database with court cases. Articles 324 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (acquisition or sale of official documents and state awards), 325 (theft or damage to documents, stamps, seals or theft of excise stamps, special stamps or marks of conformity), 326 (forgery or destruction of the vehicle identification number) and 327 (forgery, production or circulation of forged documents, state awards, stamps, seals or forms).

Unsplash

The authors of the study found that most often in Russia they forge identity documents: these are passports, driver's licenses, etc. Their share in the total structure of falsified documents in the period from 2019 to 2022 amounted to approximately 93.4%. Another 3% of fakes came from notarial powers of attorney and court orders.

It is said that a total of 17 thousand court cases are listed under Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for the specified period. The most forged documents turned out to be driver's licenses with a share of 55% in total. In second place are Russian passports with an indicator of about 16%, in third place are documents for receiving subsidies and grants and passports of the CIS countries with 12%.

At the same time, Intellect senior lawyer, candidate of legal sciences Anatoly Zazulin emphasizes that many cases of fakes that have not been identified do not fall into official statistics. In addition, the use of forged documents may be reflected in another part of the crime - for example, in the article "fraud" (159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).^[1]

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