Digital ‘Frankenstein’ Identities Saturate The Dark Web – Digital Transactions

In an ideal world, a report about the low costs of personally identifiable data that can be stitched together to create a synthetic identity, a proverbial Frankenstein, would be nonexistent. That’s not the world today, however. A new report from Coveron, an identity-theft protection service, outlines how cheap it is for criminals to get such data and create these false identities.

 The dark Web market for synthetic identities has grown exponentially, Lithuania-based Coveron says. A complete fake identity of a U.S. consumer capable of passing automated security checks can be acquired for as little as $200, according to Coveron. A synthetic identity is a fabricated persona created by combining real stolen data, such as a Social Security number from a data breach, with AI-generated fake information including names, addresses, deepfake selfies, and cloned voices.

The research is based on analysis of dark Web forums and Telegram channels to map the pricing and availability of synthetic identity services. Telegram is a free, cloud-based instant-messaging service. Coveron found that a deepfake selfie image may sell for $50 to $200. A custom voice clone could be bought for as little as $50 or as much as $300. A digital ghost package, comprising an identity aged from six to 24 months, with verified accounts, and a matched device fingerprint, sells for $500 to $2,000.

Also worrisome is that a criminal may not need to acquire a full fake identity, Coveron says.
“For as little as $10 to $50, they can buy just a deepfake image to bypass a single [know-your-consumer] check,” Coveron says. “Functional fraudulent identities can be assembled using stolen [Social Security Numbers] from massive breaches, AI-generated faces, voice clones produced from three-second audio samples, forged documents, and other data.”

Coveron says its research proves that synthetic identity fraud, long an issue for payments companies, card issuers, and merchants, has matured into a full-scale dark Web industry.

“Over the past year, researchers identified 10,463 posts offering complete identity data bundled with deepfake selfies and matching documents, sold as ready-to-use packages,” it says. “Another 7,845 posts advertised what criminals call the ‘raw KYC bypass kit’: real SSNs combined with matching driver’s licenses and deepfake selfies.”

There are even tutorials on how to create a synthetic identity, Coveron says, which means access to the criminal activity is as easy as following a set of instructions.

“Entry at $10. Full identity under $1,000. Criminals offer these services with structured pricing options, guaranteed delivery times, and even refund policies, just like legitimate businesses,” says Tomas Sinicki, Coveron’s managing director. “These aren’t amateurs experimenting with new technology. The dark Web economy has professionalized identity theft.”