Deepfake Jobseekers Are Here: 1 in 4 Candidates Could Be Fake by 2028

• deepfake-jobs
• recruitment-security
• cyber-threats

AI-generated and deepfake job applicants are targeting remote hiring processes. Discover how to spot fake candidates and protect your business.

AI-Generated Job Applicants Are Fooling Employers

Imagine interviewing what seems like a highly qualified candidate—only to realise later they don’t exist. This unsettling scenario is no longer rare. With the rise of generative AI and deepfake technologies, businesses around the world are facing an alarming new trend: fake job applicants who can convincingly impersonate real people using advanced software.

Real Incidents: When AI Becomes the Interviewee

Cybersecurity firm Vidoc Security recently encountered what may have been a deepfake candidate. The applicant appeared genuine—complete with a robust LinkedIn profile, cyber experience, and professional demeanour. But things didn’t add up during the video call.

Co-founder Dawid Moczadlo noticed that the candidate’s voice and appearance didn’t match the name, and responses seemed AI-generated. When asked to raise a hand in front of their face—a common trick to expose deepfakes—the candidate refused. The call was immediately ended.

Another recruiter, Bettina Liporazzi from LetsMake.com, shared a similar experience. The suspect candidate dodged camera requests and disappeared from the call when asked to perform simple visual checks.

One in Four Job Applicants Could Be Fake by 2028

According to Gartner, 25% of job applicants could be fake within just a few years. These applicants aren’t just inflating resumes—they’re completely fabricated identities, often powered by deepfake technology and ChatGPT-like tools.

Why It’s a Serious Threat

• Corporate Espionage: Fake applicants may be targeting sensitive industries to gain access to internal systems and data.
• State-Sponsored Attacks: There are confirmed reports linking some fake jobseekers to North Korea, with data and payments funnelled to support its regime.
• Laptop Farms: Some companies have sent hardware to these actors, only to find malware deployed once the device connects to their network.

How to Detect Deepfake Job Applicants

• Always use video calls with the camera on.
• Ask for real-time interactions: Have applicants perform gestures like turning their head or placing a hand in front of their face.
• Disable backgrounds and filters: Ask candidates to show their real environment.
• Look for voice and lip-sync mismatches: Audio lag and facial oddities are major red flags.
• Verify identity documents and online presence: Cross-check LinkedIn profiles, employment histories, and educational claims.

Advice for Recruiters and Hiring Teams

To stay ahead of this growing threat, hiring managers should:

• Update their screening processes to include visual verification techniques.
• Conduct background checks through multiple independent sources.
• Train recruitment teams to recognise deepfake signs and suspicious behaviour.
• Use endpoint security tools to monitor corporate hardware sent to remote employees.

The Bottom Line

The deepfake jobseeker is no longer science fiction—it’s a present danger. As remote work continues to expand, so does the opportunity for bad actors to infiltrate organisations through fraudulent applications. Companies must adapt now, or risk learning the hard way.