DETECTING FAKE USER RECOGNITION AUTHENTICATION REQUESTS

An authentication system for granting access to an account associated with a user. An authenticator of the authentication system including a processor and a memory, the authenticator configured to: receive a request for authentication that identifies the user; access an authentication account associated with the user, wherein the authentication account indicates a smart device associated with the user; activate a control parameter of the smart device, wherein the control parameter may cause an effect in a media sample from the smart device; receive the media sample from the smart device and determine if the effect corresponding to the control parameter is observed in the media sample; and in response to a determination that the effect is not observed in the media sample, indicate that the request for authentication is a fraudulent request.