The chief executive of WPP, Mark Read, detailed the attempted fraud in a recent email, warning others at the company to look out for calls claiming to be from top executives.
Fraudsters created a WhatsApp account with a publicly available image of Read and used it to set up a Microsoft Teams meeting that appeared to be with him and another senior WPP executive, according to the email obtained by the Guardian. During the meeting, the impostors deployed a voice clone of the executive as well as YouTube footage of them. The scammers impersonated Read off-camera using the meeting's chat window. The scam, which was unsuccessful, targeted an "agency leader”, asking them to set up a new business in an attempt to solicit money and personal details.
"Fortunately the attackers were not successful," Read wrote in the email. "We all need to be vigilant to the techniques that go beyond emails to take advantage of virtual meetings, AI and deepfakes."
This story is from the May 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New cougar seen in Los Angeles year after celebrity big cat's death
It has been more than a year since the death of P-22, a beloved Los Angeles cougar known as the \"Brad Pitt of mountain lions\", whose passing inspired murals, songs and celebrations across the city.
Aid operations UN says 1.1m face famine after supplies slow to trickle
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is likely to worsen again as deliveries of aid and fuel to the Palestinian territory slow to a trickle in the wake of Israel's two-week-old ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah.
Climate Big claims - but policies came up short
Every time a minister is asked about the climate crisis, the answer is the same.
McKenna's suitors ready to fight for humble but world-class coach
Northern Irishman works in a nourishing environment at Ipswich, but might Chelsea or Brighton tempt him away?
Maresca enters race Chelsea eye Leicester coach with McKenna in demand
Chelsea have intensified their search for Mauricio Pochettino's replacement by making checks on Leicester's Enzo Maresca, but candidates for the job believe that Ipswich's Kieran McKenna is the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Supporters want women's own football TV slot, survey reveals
Fans also raise concerns over concentration of power at top of the Women's Super League
Lookman's triple treat for Atalanta brings down Leverkusen
Nothing, not the Roman Empire, not the Zhou dynasty, not even Last of the Summer Wine, lasts forever, and neither did Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run.
British Olympic breaststroke champion Wilkie dies aged 70
The British Olympic swimming champion David Wilkie has died at the age of 70.
M&S boss heralds growth for 'years to come' as a million new shoppers boost profits
The boss of Marks & Spencer says he is hopeful of a \"growth story for years to come\" after the revitalised retailer won over 1 million more shoppers to boost profits by 41%.
Iranians gather for funeral of president killed in air crash
Tens of thousands of Iranians attended the funeral yesterday of the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a helicopter accident on a fog-shrouded mountain on Sunday has opened up a potentially volatile moment in Iranian politics.