5 strategies for fighting generative AI fraud in business verification

In December 2024, the FBI issued a warning: fraud schemes using generative AI are getting harder to detect and more convincing than ever. Deepfakes, fake business profiles, and synthetic documents are now tools of choice for fraudsters targeting Know Your Business (KYB) systems.

This type of generative AI fraud consistently fools people—and it tricks automated systems, too. As business verification processes come under attack, compliance teams and fraud analysts are under pressure to respond.

Let's explore five effective strategies for identifying AI-generated fraud in business verification and how Markaaz business verification helps close the data gaps criminals try to exploit. 

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1. Use deepfake and synthetic media detection tools

Generative AI is making it easier than ever for fraudsters to forge business identities that look legitimate on the surface. They’re using AI to generate fake documents, spoofed headshots, and even real-time video deepfakes to pass identity checks during KYB onboarding. These tactics are especially dangerous because they can bypass both visual review and automated systems. 

For this reason, deepfake detection tools have become a key part of KYB fraud prevention. These tools analyze visual and audio media for artifacts, inconsistencies, or signs that content was AI-generated. For example, they can detect if a business headshot shows irregular lighting patterns or if a video verification shows unnatural blinking or speech movements—signals that might be invisible to the human eye.

Video calls used for onboarding are particularly vulnerable. A fraudster could appear on-screen as a fabricated CEO or executive using real-time face-swapping tech. In these cases, detection software can flag mismatches between submitted media and known reference data or identify metadata anomalies like inconsistent file timestamps.

To stay ahead of synthetic identity fraud, businesses should use APIs or integrations that scan uploaded content for manipulation, especially during document submission or remote verification workflows. These tools work best when layered with other AI fraud detection methods to validate the business holistically—rather than based on the face or signature on a screen.

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2. Monitor behavioral biometrics and access patterns

When a synthetic identity slips through onboarding, other behaviors can give it away. Behavioral biometrics track things like typing speed, mouse movement, and navigation habits to flag suspicious activity.

AI-generated accounts often show odd patterns—moving too quickly, clicking with robotic precision, or failing to follow typical small business workflows. These subtle cues can help identify fraud attempts that look legitimate on paper.

Real-time monitoring and continual behavioral analysis help catch fraud as it happens. This approach is particularly useful during onboarding and for strengthening account access procedures. When combined with existing identity verification measures, it further reinforces AI fraud detection.   

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3. Conduct network and entity relationship analysis

Sometimes, fraud rings create multiple fake entities that seem legitimate on their own but create suspicions when viewed together. For example, several “businesses” may share the same IP address, incorporation patterns, or phone numbers.

Network and entity relationship analysis maps out links between entities, helping detect clusters that may indicate organized fraud. Adopting AI-powered KYB solutions that analyze and visualize these relationships makes it easier to spot patterns and prevent fraudulent onboarding.

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4. Triangulate data from multiple trusted sources

Relying on a single data source for business verification is risky. Fraudsters can exploit gaps or outdated information. Instead, cross-referencing business details from multiple independent sources—also known as data triangulation—can significantly improve accuracy.

For example, when a business provides a phone number, verifying it against several sources, such as telecom registries, business listings, and public filings, helps reduce the chances of fake data slipping through.

Prioritizing KYB providers with multiple high-integrity data feeds, such as Markaaz, makes it easy to implement this simple yet effective approach.

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5. Set up continuous monitoring and re-verification

Fraud prevention isn’t a one-time task. Static checks can quickly become outdated as business details change. A company verified six months ago might no longer be legitimate today, especially in high-risk industries where synthetic identity fraud is common.

Setting up continuous monitoring allows you to track changes in business data, such as updated addresses, new owners, or other suspicious updates. Real-time alerts can flag unexpected modifications, giving you the opportunity to investigate before fraud occurs. Markaaz’s platform supports continuous data refreshes, helping keep your verification efforts current and reliable.

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Markaaz strengthens KYB fraud detection prevention with data quality

Markaaz gives businesses a critical edge in KYB fraud prevention by providing access to a verified, curated, and continuously updated database of over half a billion global business records. Unlike datasets that rely on public scraping or outdated sources, Markaaz integrates verified data from authoritative sources, minimizing the risk of manipulated or synthetic information.

The platform’s strength lies in its data matching and merging, triangulating and de-duplicating data from multiple sources, and anomaly detection, which work together to identify inconsistencies that traditional verification methods often miss.

Markaaz also continuously monitors verified entities, automatically flagging changes that could pose risks, such as sudden ownership updates or address modifications. As a strategic partner in KYB fraud prevention, Markaaz provides access to continuously updated business data and behavioral insights, helping organizations detect potential risks earlier and act with greater confidence."

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Protect your business against AI-driven fraud

Generative AI fraud is evolving fast, and businesses need robust, adaptive strategies to stay secure. Advanced tools like deepfake detection, behavioral analysis, and network mapping are critical, but their effectiveness hinges on reliable, high-quality data.

Markaaz leverages continuously updated data from trusted sources, allowing businesses to detect fraud faster and more accurately. The platform’s data match/merge, triangulation and de-duping, and real-time anomaly detection work together to catch red flags before they become serious threats.

Don’t let generative AI fraud catch you off guard. Connect with our team to learn how Markaaz can enhance your KYB fraud prevention strategy.