I Created a Fake Identity Online. How Long Until I Was Found Out?
> SIMULATING_A_HUMAN...
On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog. Or an AI. Or a complete fabrication.
To test the verification systems of modern social media, I decided to birth a new human.
SUBJECT: RAHUL VARMA
JOB: Freelance Graphic Designer
LOCATION: Bangalore, India
INTERESTS: Crypto, Minimalism, Coffee
ORIGIN: Generated via ThisPersonDoesNotExist + FaceApp
The Setup
- The Face: Using GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks), I generated a face that doesn't exist. I ran it through filters to make it look "candid" and less like perfect studio lighting.
- The history: I created a fake University degree (Photoshop) and a portfolio of design work (stolen from royalty-free stock sites).
- The Accounts: Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Instagram, Reddit.
Day 1: Infiltration
I set up the accounts. Twitter didn't blink. Instagram asked for a phone number (used a burner SIM). LinkedIn was the boss battle.
I started connecting with people. "Hey, love your work! Let's connect."
Day 3: The Validation
Rahul Varma was active. I was posting generic design thoughts generated by ChatGPT.
"Design is not just how it looks, it's how it works. #DesignThinking"
People were liking it. Real humans were engaging with my ghost. I got 50+ connections on LinkedIn. A recruiter even messaged me about a "potential opportunity".
Day 5: The Suspicion
I tried to join a private discord community for designers. The mod asked for my portfolio link.
I sent my Squarespace site populated with stock images.
The mod replied: "Hey Rahul, your portfolio images show up on Unsplash. Are these yours?"
Panic. I claimed I uploaded them there. They didn't buy it.
Day 7: The Death of Rahul
It unraveled fast. LinkedIn's algorithm flagged the account for "suspicious activity" presumably because I added 200 people in 3 days with a fresh IP.
They asked for ID verification (Passport/Aadhar). Game over.
Analysis: The Uncanny Valley of Trust
For 7 days, Rahul Varma existed. He had friends. He had job offers. He had opinions on typography.
What fooled people:
- A confident profile picture.
- Generic, safe opinions (AI generated).
- Professional formatting.
What broke the illusion:
- Reverse Image Search (The portfolio).
- Aggressive scaling (Adding too many people too fast).
- Platform KYC (Know Your Customer) checks.
We are entering an era where half the people you argue with online might be Rahuls. They have faces, histories, and jobs, but no pulse. Trust nothing.