Biometric Authentication – How Fraudsters Try to Bypass in 2025 —and How Shufti Stops Them

Biometric authentication is no longer a nice‑to‑have. Deepfake toolkits are available for less than $20, and large‑scale bot farms are automating spoofing attempts around the clock. This article explains (1) how fraudsters now defeat biometric checks, (2) what 2024‑25 regulations demand, and (3) the real‑world analytics from Shufti’s global trust platform that prove effective counter‑measures.

Key stat: Shufti blocked 3.1 million biometric spoof attempts in the past 12 months a 230 % YoY surge driven largely by generative‑AI deepfakes.

1. What Is Biometric Authentication?

Biometric authentication verifies a person by unique physiological (face, iris, fingerprint) or behavioural (typing, gait) traits. Unlike passwords, biometrics are:

• Immutable – fingerprints can’t be “forgotten.”
  
• Phish‑resistant – no secret to steal.
  
• User‑friendly – seamless mobile UX boosts conversion.
  

However, as adoption widens projected to reach $76 billion global spend by 2025 (Juniper Research, 2024) attackers have more incentive to compromise these systems.

2. Two 2025 Attack Vectors

Biometric fraud in 2025 falls into two broad camps: presentation attacks that try to fool the sensor itself, and system‑level exploits that target the underlying software stack. Understanding both is critical, because effective defence requires a layered approach that blocks tampering at the point of capture and across the entire verification pipeline.

2.1 Spoofing (Presentation Attacks)

Fraudsters present fake biometrics to the sensor.

2.2 Bypass (System Exploits)

While presentation attacks aim to deceive the camera, bypass attacks side‑step the optics altogether. In 2025 we see a surge of off‑device threats malware that pipes pre‑recorded media straight into the mobile OS, proxy apps that tamper with API calls, and threat actors who edit or replace the biometric template itself. These exploits often scale faster than mask production because they rely on software rather than physical artefacts.

Attackers tamper with the biometric pipeline instead of the sensor:

1. API Injection – pre‑recorded video fed via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).
   
2. Replay Attacks – intercepting and re‑sending captured biometric packets.
   
3. Template Tampering – modifying stored feature vectors in transit or at rest.

Shufti’s telemetry shows that bypass attempts account for 1 in every 7 biometric fraud events in 2025, with malware‑based video injection leading the list.

3. New Regulations Shaping 2025 Compliance

From Brussels to Washington, lawmakers spent the past 18 months racing to close loopholes exposed by generative‑AI fraud. The result is an unprecedented patchwork of rules that elevate biometric security from a “nice to have” to a regulated requirement. Below is a snapshot of the most consequential statutes and standards that took effect or will imminently in 2025.

Why it matters: Non‑compliance can trigger fines up to €35 million or 7 % of global turnover under the AI Act’s Article 93.

4. Shufti Analytics: 2025 Fraud Landscape

Numbers tell the real story. Shufti processes over 230 million verifications a year across 230+ countries and territories, giving us unparalleled visibility into emerging threats. Here are the headline trends we observed between June 2024 and May 2025.

• 98.92 % average face‑match accuracy across 230 m verification sessions.
  
• Real‑time blocking latency: 0.8 s median, preserving checkout conversions.
  
• Top three industries targeted: Crypto exchanges (28 % of attacks), fintech lending (21 %), and online education (13 %).
  
• Deepfake spike: 244 % YoY increase in account‑takeover attempts, peaking during Black Friday 2024.
  
• Education sector insight: 6.4 % high‑risk sessions across 120+ edu clients in Q1 2025.
  

5. 2025 Best‑Practice Playbook

Technology alone is insufficient without process, and process is ineffective without clear accountability. The following playbook distils lessons from hundreds of enterprise deployments into five actionable pillars that organisations of any size can implement today.

1. Multi‑Factor by Design – Pair biometrics with device binding or OTP for step‑up assurance.
   
2. Certified Liveness Detection – Use ISO 30107‑3 compliant PAD tests (depth sensing, skin‑texture, micro‑movement).
   
3. Continuous Behavioural Biometrics – Monitor typing rhythm and pointer dynamics post‑login.
   
4. Edge AI & On‑Device Encryption – Prevent template exfiltration with secure enclaves.
   
5. Explainable AI (XAI) – Provide human‑readable risk scores to meet E‑E‑A‑T transparency.
   

FAQ (2025 Edition)

Q1. Is biometric data safer than passwords?
Yes, but only with strong liveness checks and encryption. Unlike passwords, biometrics can’t be reissued—breaches have long‑term impact.

Q2. Can deepfakes fool modern systems?
Low‑tier systems, yes. Shufti detects texture and depth inconsistencies within 800 ms, blocking >98 % of deepfake attempts.

Q3. What industries face the highest biometric fraud?
Crypto, fintech lending, and education—because of rapid onboarding and high payout potential.

Q4. Do I need consent to capture biometrics in the EU & UK?
Absolutely. Both the GDPR and forthcoming DPDI Bill classify biometrics as “special category” data requiring explicit, informed consent.

Conclusion

Biometric authentication remains the frontline defence against identity theft, yet attackers are leveraging AI at unprecedented scale. New rules from the EU AI Act to ISO 30107‑3 updates raise the bar for security and transparency. Shufti’s AI‑driven platform combines certified liveness detection, behavioural analytics, and instant global coverage, stopping nine fraud attempts every minute. As 2025 unfolds, businesses that invest in compliant, explainable biometric solutions will build the trust edge needed to grow.

References

1. Juniper Research. “Biometric Authentication & Payments: Market Forecasts 2023‑2028.” February 2024.
   
2. Forbes. “Deepfake Crime: The $25 Toolkit Anyone Can Buy.” October 2024.
   
3. European Commission. “Artificial Intelligence Act – Final Text.” May 2024.
   
4. UK Parliament. “Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (No. 2).” Accessed June 2025.
   
5. NIST. “Digital Identity Guidelines (SP 800‑63‑4) – Draft Update.” December 2024.
   
6. ISO/IEC 30107‑3:2024. “Biometric Presentation Attack Detection – Testing and Reporting.” January 2024.

Shufti. “Deepfake Fraud Detection Report 2025.” Internal analytics, May 2025.