Deepfake Debauchery - Scammers steal $243,000 using deepfaked voice

[rcmaehl]

Source:
Gizmodo (Quote source)

SCMagazineuk
 

Summary:
Scammers successfully tricked a CEO into transferring €220,000 ($243,000 USD) via successfully creating a convincing copy of their bosses voice.

Quotes/Excerpts:

Quote

The CEO of an energy firm based in the UK thought he was following his boss’s urgent orders in March...But the request actually came from the AI-assisted voice of a fraudster. The German-accented caller told him to send €220,000 ($243,000 USD) to a Hungarian supplier within the hour.  Euler Hermes fraud expert Rüdiger Kirsch told WSJ that the victim recognized his superior’s voice because it had a hint of a German accent and the same “melody.” This was reportedly the first time Euler Hermes has dealt with clients being affected by crimes that used AI mimicry. The fraudster called the victim company three times. Once the transfer occurred, the attacker called a second time to falsely claim that the money had been reimbursed. Then the hacker reportedly called a third time to ask for another payment. AI-generated voice technology has become disturbingly realistic in recent months and Kirsch told the Journal that it he believes commercially-available software was used to facilitate the fraudulent executive impersonation. In May, the AI company Dessa released a simulation of the podcaster Joe Rogan voice that was a near-perfect replica of his t’s gravelly timbre. It was so similar to the real thing that a longtime listener would have difficulty distinguishing between Joe Rogan and “Joe Fauxgan.” As for the unidentified energy companies stolen money, it was reportedly sent to a Hungarian bank account, moved to an account in Mexico, and subsequently distributed to various other locations. No suspects have been identified.

My Thoughts:
Oh boy, that was quick. I really shows how troublemakers are up to date with existing technologies and the on-going fight to keep up with them. I'm sure here in the next year or so, our work compliance training will include understanding deepfakes and how to prevent them along with the standard phishing training. It'll definitely be interesting to see how this progresses.

[rcmaehl]

15 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

depending on whose voice you use, LOL

Don't even need to use fake voices. A few existing democratic leaders can be easily misled.

[Andreas Lilja]

We all need to follow the steps of Clarence Thomas, and stop speaking. 

[captain_to_fire]

This reminds me 

 

 

[williamcll]

Did they find who the culprit is?

[Beskamir]

It was only a matter of time until a clever enough criminal tried this. My only questions are why they stopped at 220k and whether they're going after any other companies?

[Salv8 (sam)]

CEO rn: