Cybersecurity company Kaspersky has warned that real-time deepfake services have hit the darknet at cut-rate prices, intensifying fears of misuse in fraud, disinformation, and social engineering schemes across markets, including Nigeria.
According to findings from Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), adverts now offer real-time video and audio deepfake services for as little as about ₦75,000 ($50) for fabricated videos and ₦45,000 ($30) for fake voice messages. These figures are a sharp contrast to earlier costs of ₦450,000 to ₦30,000,000 per minute previously spotted on darknet platforms.
The company says the newly-advertised services promise a range of offerings — from real-time face swapping during video calls and face replacement for verification, to camera feed replacement on devices. The developers also claim they can synchronise facial expressions in video with text prompts in foreign languages, as well as clone voices with adjustable tone and timbre to mimic emotional nuance.
According to findings from Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), adverts now offer real-time video and audio deepfake services for as little as about ₦75,000 ($50) for fabricated videos and ₦45,000 ($30) for fake voice messages. These figures are a sharp contrast to earlier costs of ₦450,000 to ₦30,000,000 per minute previously spotted on darknet platforms.
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However, Kaspersky notes that not all of these adverts may be genuine, warning that many could be scams designed to dupe buyers.
“We are not only seeing ads offering ‘deepfake-as-a-service,’ but also a clear demand for these tools. Malicious actors are actively experimenting with AI and incorporating it into their operations,” Dmitry Galov, head of Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team in Russia and CIS, says.
“While these technologies do not introduce fundamentally new cyber threats,” the Kaspersky exec adds, “they can significantly enhance cyber attackers’ capabilities. Cybersecurity experts must work hard to counter these threats, and one of the most promising ways is to leverage AI to boost both the productivity of security professionals and the effectiveness of defensive measures.”
The rise of deepfake: Implications for Nigeria
Technology Times checks show that the warning comes at a time when Nigeria’s digital economy is facing increasing exposure to online fraud and disinformation campaigns, especially in financial services, politics, and public communication. Analysts say the plummeting cost of deepfake services could lower the barrier of entry for fraudsters seeking to impersonate executives, manipulate video calls, or spread fake news.
The Nigerian financial services sector, which has been repeatedly targeted by phishing and social engineering attacks, could be at heightened risk if fraudsters deploy cheap, real-time video and audio fakes to deceive customers or corporate staff. Similarly, in an election season, such tools could be weaponised to spread falsehoods that mislead voters or damage reputations.
Combating deepfakes: Kaspersky’s advice
To curb the threat, Kaspersky urges companies and government institutions to:
- Put in place effective cybersecurity systems supported by skilled IT specialists.
- Use threat intelligence tools to detect and counter emerging risks.
- Train staff regularly to identify deepfake cues such as jerky movements, inconsistent lighting, unnatural skin tones, distorted images, or unusual blinking patterns.
The company also highlights its Automated Security Awareness Platform as a tool to help organisations boost digital literacy and resilience against the growing tide of AI-powered cybercrime.
With deepfake services now priced within reach of low-level scammers, experts warn that Nigerian businesses, media, and even individuals must treat the threat as imminent rather than distant.
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