Wire Fraud in 2026: New Threats, New Defenses

How AI-Powered Scams Are Changing the Game, And What We’re Doing to Stay Ahead

Last June, I wrote about wire fraud in commercial real estate and the steps we take to protect our clients. Since then, the threat landscape has evolved dramatically. Cybercriminals aren’t just getting more sophisticated; they’re weaponizing artificial intelligence to create scams that would have seemed like science fiction just a year ago.

As we move through 2026, I’m seeing an alarming new trend: deepfakes and AI-generated impersonations targeting high-value commercial real estate transactions. The days of simply verifying an email address or making a quick phone call are no longer enough. Today’s fraudsters can clone voices, generate convincing videos, and create fake documents that even seasoned professionals struggle to detect.

Here’s what you need to know about these emerging threats, and how we’re protecting your investments.

The New Face of Wire Fraud: AI and Deepfakes

The statistics are sobering. Financial institutions reported a 168% spike in detected money laundering accounts in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year. The FBI has warned of a 500% increase in vacant land deed fraud since 2020. And experts predict AI-related fraud losses could reach $40 billion by 2027, a 32% annual growth rate.

But numbers don’t tell the whole story. What’s really changed is how these frauds are being executed. Here are the three most dangerous new tactics targeting commercial real estate:

Deepfake Video Calls

In one recent case, a finance worker at a multinational firm was tricked into wiring $25 million to fraudsters during what appeared to be a routine video conference with the company’s CFO. The problem? The CFO wasn’t real. Using just a few publicly available photos and video clips, scammers created a deepfake so convincing that it fooled everyone on the call.

A Florida title company recently encountered an AI-generated seller during a video call to verify identity on a vacant lot transaction. The fraudsters had created a convincing deepfake using face-swapping technology and the identity of a woman who had disappeared years earlier.

AI Voice Cloning

The technology to clone someone’s voice has become shockingly accessible. I’m talking about creating a perfect replica of your voice from less than a minute of recorded audio, the kind that’s publicly available on company websites, conference recordings, or social media. Even more alarming? The software to do this costs less than a Netflix subscription.

There are cases where these synthetic voices are used to call title companies claiming to be the closing attorney, or to phone buyers pretending to be the escrow officer with ‘urgent’ wire instruction changes. The quality is so good that even people who’ve worked with someone for years can be fooled. When that trusted voice on the phone tells you the bank account has changed, your brain wants to believe it’s really them.

AI-Generated Documents and Emails

Today’s AI tools can generate perfect replicas of loan documents, driver’s licenses, deeds, and professional emails, complete with correct formatting, logos, and even subtle details that made older forgeries detectable. The Spelling Manor in Los Angeles (listed at $137.5 million) remains unsellable due to a fraudulent deed filed by scammers with no connection to the property. Graceland nearly fell victim to a similar scheme.

These sophisticated forgeries are being used in combination with deepfakes and voice cloning to create multi-layered scams that attack from every angle.

Why Commercial Real Estate Is a Prime Target

Commercial transactions are particularly vulnerable for several reasons:

High-Dollar Transactions: Commercial deals often involve six-, seven-, or even eight-figure wire transfers. A single successful fraud can net millions.

Remote Closings: With investors and principals often located across multiple states or countries, remote communication has become standard, creating perfect conditions for impersonation.

Time Pressure: Commercial deadlines are tight. Scammers exploit this urgency, knowing that buyers and sellers are less likely to slow down and verify last-minute changes.

Vacant or Non-Owner-Occupied Properties: Vacant lots, second homes, and investment properties are especially vulnerable because it’s less likely the owner will immediately discover the fraud.

Multiple Parties: Commercial deals involve numerous professionals, brokers, attorneys, lenders, property managers, creating more communication channels that can be compromised.

How We’re Fighting Back at Fidelity National Title

At Fidelity, we’ve responded to these evolving threats by implementing advanced, multi-layered security protocols specifically designed to combat AI-powered fraud:

Multi-Factor Identity Verification

We no longer rely on a single verification method. For high-value transactions, we now require:

Multiple forms of government-issued ID
Knowledge-based authentication questions
Pre-established code words or security phrases
When possible, in-person verification at critical transaction milestones

Behavioral Analysis and Red Flag Detection

Our team is trained to recognize behavioral red flags that often accompany deepfake and AI scams:

Unusual urgency or pressure to rush the transaction
Last-minute changes to wire instructions or closing details
Reluctance to engage in live phone calls or in-person meetings
Communication that feels ‘off’ even if technically correct
Inconsistencies in blinking patterns, lip-sync, or background lighting during video calls

Advanced Deepfake Detection Technology

We’re investing in AI-powered fraud detection tools that can:

Analyze video calls for signs of manipulation
Verify document authenticity using forensic analysis
Monitor communication patterns for anomalies
Cross-reference public records and property ownership in real-time

Enhanced Wire Transfer Protocols

We’ve implemented a strict wire transfer verification process:

All wire instructions must be confirmed through a secure platform
Changes to wire instructions trigger automatic security holds
We call you back using pre-verified phone numbers (never numbers provided in emails)
Large transactions require multiple levels of approval

Continuous Team Training

Our escrow officers and support staff receive monthly training on emerging fraud tactics. We stay current with industry intelligence, law enforcement bulletins, and real-world case studies to ensure we’re always one step ahead.

What Commercial Real Estate Professionals Can Do

While we’re doing everything possible to protect our clients, you play a critical role in your own security. Here are the most important steps you can take:

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off, even if you can’t articulate exactly what, slow down and verify. Scammers rely on your reluctance to question what appears legitimate.

Never Rely on One Form of Verification

A phone call isn’t enough anymore. Neither is a video call. Use multiple verification methods, and when in doubt, insist on in-person meetings for critical transaction milestones.

Establish Security Protocols Early

At the beginning of every transaction, establish a code word or verification phrase with all parties. This pre-agreed security measure makes it much harder for scammers to successfully impersonate someone.

Verify All Wire Instructions Independently

Never use contact information provided in an email to verify wire instructions. Always call using a phone number you’ve independently verified, ideally one you’ve used before. Better yet, call us directly at 702-952-8297 or email michele@seiboldgroup.com to confirm any wire transfer details.

Be Skeptical of Urgency

Last-minute changes, rushed closings, and pressure to act quickly are classic fraud tactics, and they’re even more dangerous in the age of AI. If someone is pushing you to move faster than normal, that’s a red flag worth investigating.

Monitor for Data Exposure

Be aware of what information about you is publicly available. The more photos, videos, and audio of you that exist online, the easier it is for scammers to create convincing deepfakes. Consider reviewing your privacy settings on social media and professional platforms.

Report Suspicious Activity Immediately

If you suspect fraud, report it immediately to:

Your title company or escrow officer
Your bank
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Local law enforcement

Time is critical. The faster you report, the better chance authorities have of recovering funds and preventing further damage.

The Bottom Line: Vigilance Is Non-Negotiable

The landscape of wire fraud has fundamentally changed. AI and deepfakes have transformed what was once a relatively straightforward threat into something far more complex and dangerous. Scammers no longer need to break into email accounts or forge clumsy documents, they can become you, sound like you, and convince even your most trusted colleagues that they’re dealing with the real thing.

But here’s the good news: with the right protocols, technology, and mindset, we can protect your transactions. At Fidelity National Title and Seibold Group, we’re committed to staying ahead of these threats through continuous investment in security technology, team training, and industry collaboration.

The commercial real estate industry is built on trust. We won’t let scammers destroy that foundation.

If you have any questions about wire fraud protection, transaction security, or the steps we’re taking to safeguard your investments, I encourage you to reach out. Let’s have a conversation about how we can work together to keep your deals, and your money, safe.

Contact Michele at michele@seiboldgroup.com or call 702-952-8297 to learn how Seibold Group protects your commercial real estate investments.