Image source: Reuters |
As technology advances, so do the opportunities for malicious actors to exploit sophisticated tools for their gain. In this instance, the renowned Italian car manufacturer, Ferrari, fell victim to a hacker’s scheme. According to Bloomberg, an unknown individual used deepfake technology to communicate with Ferrari’s CEO via Whatsapp.
Specifically, the perpetrator created a fake account impersonating Mr. Bendetto Vigna, Ferrari’s CEO, to discuss a significant acquisition contract that required the CEO’s signature and confirmation.
Ferrari representatives revealed that the scammer initiated a video call, perfectly mimicking Mr. Vigna’s voice and appearing with a clear, lifelike image. However, when asked about the last book the CEO had read, the imposter stumbled, showing confusion before ending the call.
The scammer impersonated Bendetto Vigna, Ferrari’s CEO. Image source: Motor1 |
At this point, details about the nature of the discussed contract and the hacker’s motives remain unknown. However, had Ferrari not discovered the deception, they would have likely faced a significant crisis instigated by the deepfake perpetrators.
In addition to providing guidance on information security and protection against spam emails and nuisance calls, car manufacturers and businesses worldwide should consider including training sessions on recognizing and responding to deepfakes as part of their standard protocols.
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