Photoshopped image detection (aka scammer trash)

[PsyWulf]

Hi
Regarding this bad deal Scammer | Bad Deals

If you need to inspect the authenticity of an image,use some google to find an image forensics tool like 29a.ch

Ive attached a screenshot of an ELA check I did in less than a second,clearly showing the "invoice" as differing from the rest of the image noisewise

This has helped me in the past to verify photos sellers have posted for vehicles and goods

I'll post a more technical description if anybody needs a breakdown

 

[Rickster]

Yea, give us a breakdown please.

 

[PsyWulf]

Yea, give us a breakdown please.

No problemo bud

From these guys FotoForensics

Tutorial: Error Level Analysis
Error Level Analysis (ELA) permits identifying areas within an image that are at different compression levels. With JPEG images, the entire picture should be at roughly the same level. If a section of the image is at a significantly different error level, then it likely indicates a digital modification.
What To Look For
ELA highlights differences in the JPEG compression rate. Regions with uniform coloring, like a solid blue sky or a white wall, will likely have a lower ELA result (darker color) than high-contrast edges. The things to look for:

Edges Similar edges should have similar brightness in the ELA result. All high-contrast edges should look similar to each other, and all low-contrast edges should look similar. With an original photo, low-contrast edges should be almost as bright as high-contrast edges.Textures Similar textures should have similar coloring under ELA. Areas with more surface detail, such as a close-up of a basketball, will likely have a higher ELA result than a smooth surface.Surfaces Regardless of the actual color of the surface, all flat surfaces should have about the same coloring under ELA.

Look around the picture and identify the different high-contrast edges, low-contrast edges, surfaces, and textures. Compare those areas with the ELA results. If there are significant differences, then it identifies suspicious areas that may have been digitally altered.

Resaving a JPEG removes high-frequencies and results in less differences between high-contrast edges, textures, and surfaces. A very low quality JPEG will appear very dark.

Scaling a picture smaller can boost high-contrast edges, making them brighter under ELA. Similarly, saving a JPEG with an Adobe product will automatically sharpen high-contrast edges and textures, making them appear much brighter than low-texture surfaces.

So from this,the important notes are:
Edges Similar edges should have similar brightness in the ELA result. All high-contrast edges should look similar to each other, and all low-contrast edges should look similar. With an original photo, low-contrast edges should be almost as bright as high-contrast edges.
Textures Similar textures should have similar coloring under ELA. Areas with more surface detail, such as a close-up of a basketball, will likely have a higher ELA result than a smooth surface.
Surfaces Regardless of the actual color of the surface, all flat surfaces should have about the same coloring under ELA.

Looking at the picture after ELA filter,you can see the page background has almost 0 noise,as opposed to the table behind it
Also the text on the page itself has a vastly different noise level than the page,and the rest of the picture ( page is black,text and logo is lit up like a firework )

There are some deviations on the text/logo/graphics card box but these are far more subtle,generally because of the colour difference/relflectiveness/brightness of the object

 

[PsyWulf]

These guys also give a tips on how to look at ELA pictures and identify issues with practical examples:
ELA Photo Forensics - eForensics

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Scammers are lazy, all you need to do is Google image search, they've downloaded it from somewhere and it'll show up.

Simply right click in chrome.

 

[PsyWulf]

Scammers are lazy, all you need to do is Google image search, they've downloaded it from somewhere and it'll show up.

Simply right click in chrome.

Actually this one was a bit improved,an ebay plus shoop. He shooped in a "local" invoice. Op removed the image
Partial attached below,a cursory glance might not have raised an eyebrow

Thus why Im trying to teach a bit more technical investigative technique

 

[BLaaR]

Long ago I had to learn little bit about photo meta data. Can't remember but if an image is created the metadata will say which camera etc was used. But if you edit the photo the meta data changes to say which photo /image editor was used.

I do believe you can alter the metadata with a metadata editor though

but then again this was ages ago. Not sure if this still apply to photo's.

 

[ViVceptioN]

Moved this to Guides etc section

I feel we could all learn something from this, I know I did.

 

[JollyJamma]

This is going to be very useful for my work. Thank you!

 

[Flex]

Actually this one was a bit improved,an ebay plus shoop. He shooped in a "local" invoice. Op removed the image
Partial attached below,a cursory glance might not have raised an eyebrow

Thus why Im trying to teach a bit more technical investigative technique View attachment 9354

Is that an image that someone thought was real?? On here??

 

[PsyWulf]

Is that an image that someone thought was real?? On here??

Not the worst edit ive seen

 

[Flex]

Not the worst edit ive seen

The "paper" clearly looks digitalized and can clearly be seen at first glance without any further inspection.

 

[PsyWulf]

The "paper" clearly looks digitalized and can clearly be seen at first glance without any further inspection.

Didn't say it was a good job,just seen worse =)

 

[Munk]

Thank you for this information. This is definitely something every Carbie should have in their toolbox.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

I also recommend just zooming in to be honest. Lines which are too sharp or straight or colours which are too prime for an irl item quickly become apparent closer up.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

The "paper" clearly looks digitalized and can clearly be seen at first glance without any further inspection.

Worse. The old paper is visible behind it if you look closely (at the border with the card).

 

[PsyWulf]

Worse. The old paper is visible behind it if you look closely (at the border with the card).

While true,i'd expect every new one to improve,or at least the next scammers to do better. The techniques are valid (though not necessary always)
I'll admit the above reasons are why I did a ELM to help teach
This one just happened to be the first (reported) bad deal with a shoppie

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

While true,i'd expect every new one to improve,or at least the next scammers to do better. The techniques are valid (though not necessary always)
I'll admit the above reasons are why I did a ELM to help teach
This one just happened to be the first (reported) bad deal with a shoppie

Oh yeah no I don't doubt it. I honestly never thought about ELM comparing compression levels. That could even help in the case of a perfectly lassoed merge rather than just plopping some MS Paint on top like this one. Nice one!

I just mean for the non-technical okes out there even a simple zoom can reveal much more than just blocky graphics.

 

[PandaAttack1]

If I suspect anything I usually ask for a short video. If there are any excuses, run.

 

[wmdvanzyl]

Oh yeah no I don't doubt it. I honestly never thought about ELM comparing compression levels. That could even help in the case of a perfectly lassoed merge rather than just plopping some MS Paint on top like this one. Nice one!

I just mean for the non-technical okes out there even a simple zoom can reveal much more than just blocky graphics.

We will obviously need this tool when some of the smartas*** ugh.. i mean smart guys on here start faking images

 

[PsyWulf]

From today's latest Bad Deals thread sent through the ELM

See if you can spot all the Shopped parts (tip: look for Goldish areas that are very blockish)