Digital experts have identified vulnerabilities that brokers are likely to exploit following TLS Contact’s launch of a video call feature designed to streamline French visa applications and reduce reliance on intermediaries.
Experts warn that brokers will exploit the rise of artificial intelligence services that manipulate identities during video calls, emphasizing that “video calls alone are insufficient to curb this troubling activity affecting Moroccans seeking visas.”
Brokers already employ automated bots to pre-book visa appointments, subsequently selling these slots to desperate Moroccan individuals who are eager to secure visas.
The cost for such appointments can soar to as high as 1,000 euros, a significant amount given that the average monthly income in Morocco is only 357 euros.
TLS Contact said its video feature had been designed to protect French visa applicants from fraudulent networks and external booking agencies, currently limited to the Moroccan capital, Rabat.
But now, “brokers could leverage artificial intelligence to navigate the challenges of video calls,” said Tayeb Hezzaz, a digital and cybersecurity expert to Hespress AR.
He indicated that AI programs for exploiting identities are “readily available on the black market,” suggesting that brokers will find alternative solutions whenever new measures are introduced.
Fraudsters exploit deepfake videos in various ways—stealing identities, impersonating acquaintances, and posing as celebrities to promote dubious products and investments.
In its 2024 identity fraud report, identity verification company Onfido revealed a staggering 3,000% increase in deepfake identity fraud attempts in 2023 compared to 2022 due to the growing accessibility of cheap online tools, apps, and generative AI.
Similarly, verification and authentication company iProov reported a rise in deepfakes, particularly through face-swap technology, which allows users to overlay someone else’s face onto their own in videos. This type of attack surged by over 700% in the second half of 2023 compared to the first half.
Another intermediary, “BLS International,” previously pledged to tackle delays in obtaining Spanish visas, emphasizing “enhanced security measures, improved appointment scheduling, and streamlined procedures for a fair and efficient booking system.”
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