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In a scenario reminiscent of a classic 1980s sci-fi film, a deepfake scammer’s attempt to deceive Ferrari was halted by a single, straightforward tactic: a personal question. This plot device is frequently seen in movies where villains impersonate a hero, only to be identified through a unique query known only to the real character. Recently, this situation unfolded when a Ferrari executive received a message from someone posing as CEO Benedetto Vigna.
According to Bloomberg, the scammer messaged the Ferrari executive on WhatsApp, claiming to be Vigna. They inquired, “Hey, did you hear about the big acquisition we’re planning? I could use your help.” While the WhatsApp number and profile picture certainly differed from those of the actual Vigna, the conversation continued for a time.
The scam escalated when the impersonator called the executive, utilizing AI deepfake technology to replicate Vigna’s voice and southern Italian accent convincingly. However, the executive felt something was amiss. To verify the caller’s identity, they asked about a book Vigna had recently recommended. The answer was “Decalogue of Complexity: Acting, Learning and Adapting in the Incessant Becoming of the World” by Alberto Felice De Toni. The scammer, unaware of the title, quickly ended the call.
Following this encounter, Ferrari initiated an internal investigation into the incident. The scammer seemed to be after a financial transaction, claiming it was related to a deal in China that required a currency-hedge transaction—a detail that raised the executive’s suspicions and led to the book question.
Such corporate deepfake scams are on the rise; a recent case in Hong Kong saw a company deceived into transferring $25 million under similar circumstances. Thanks to the Ferrari executive’s prudent actions, the brand narrowly avoided a significant financial setback and potential public disgrace..
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