By Dan Hammond, Head of Product & Data, 13 May 2025
With the rising accessibility and global adoption of AI tools, would-be fraudsters now have access to a growing armoury of new digital solutions to help them present as genuine.
Alongside traditional fraud methods such as using editing software to change details like names and grades on digital transcripts, AI-generated applications and deepfake video interviews are an increasing reality. These advancements are making it easier than ever to fabricate convincing credentials, raising serious concerns for universities, employers, and background screeners who are waking up to a troubling reality: that sophisticated application fraud is no longer for the ultra-skilled, and that fake applicants are betting on decentralised organisational processes and vulnerabilities so they can slip through the net unnoticed.
So, with document-based checks becoming increasingly vulnerable to new forms of AI-powered fraud, relying on them alone could expose your organisation to significant financial and reputational risk. In this context, returning to the original source — the awarding body — to verify qualifications is more important than ever. It is a necessary safeguard in an age where AI is making it harder to distinguish between genuine and fabricated credentials.
The Growing Threat of AI-Generated Fraud
Reporting by The Guardian earlier this year found that some international students applying to UK universities have used deepfake technology to manipulate automated video interviews.
In some cases, fake identities were created, while in others, individuals had someone else answer questions on their behalf. Among 20,000 interviews, around 30 cases of deepfake fraud were identified. These are concerning developments that expose the risks international higher education faces.
Why Primary Source Verification is AI-Proof
The most effective way to verify a person’s legitimacy is to go directly to the source of the accredited institutions where they claim to have studied. That means:
- Verifying qualifications at the issuing institution rather than relying on applicant-provided documents.
- Confirming identity with official government or university records, rather than accepting scanned documents at face value.
- Using multi-layered verification approaches, including biometric and primary source verification, to ensure authenticity.
Identity Matters: Triangulating for Trust
It’s no longer sufficient to assess credentials in isolation. A qualification may be genuine, but without confidence in the identity of the person presenting it, institutions are still exposed to risk.
That’s why many organisations are now complementing primary source verification with biometric identity checks, using liveness and likeness detection from our DIDV tools to confirm that the applicant is both real and who they claim to be. This additional layer adds a valuable triangulation point, ensuring not just that the qualification exists, but that it genuinely belongs to the person submitting it.
As a side benefit, these processes often accelerate enrolment, allowing universities to process international applicants more efficiently without compromising on rigour. It is a great example of technology offering both greater security and improved user experience, a combination that is becoming essential in the face of evolving fraud tactics.
The Future of Fraud Prevention
As fraudsters continue to exploit AI tools with convincing attempts to outsmart conventional verification methods, organisations must adapt by strengthening and safeguarding their internal processes. Universities, employers, and background screeners must prioritise primary source verification to ensure that the people they vet or recruit are who they claim to be. By taking a proactive approach to AI-proof verification, institutions can stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain trust in their admissions and hiring processes.
At Qualification Check, we provide global, primary source verification services to help organisations combat AI-powered fraud. Get in touch to learn how we can protect your institution from the risks.
