More details have been released about an elaborate deepfake scam during which a finance worker was tricked into paying out $25 million to fraudsters.
“Unfortunately we cannot go into details at this stage as the incident remains the subject of an ongoing investigation. However, we can confirm that fake voices and images were used,” an Arup spokesperson said in an emailed statement to CNN.
“Our financial stability and business operations have not been impacted and none of our internal systems have been compromised,” the person added.
The February police report said an worker participated in a video call with people he recognized as CFOs and other company executives – but who were deepfake creations.
In the decision, the worker in query was tasked with carrying out a “secret transaction” totaling 200 million Hong Kong dollars – about $25.6 million. The amount was spread across 15 transactions, Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK reported, citing police.
Police didn’t name the corporate or the parties involved; Arup confirmed the goal was a Hong Kong-based worker of its finance department.
The company's statement on Friday said it had informed Hong Kong police concerning the fraud back in January.
Arup is a number one engineering consultancy, employing 18,500 people in 34 offices around the globe. His landmark projects include the Sydney Opera House and the Bird's Nest Stadium, an iconic venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Deepfake videos created using artificial intelligence present extremely realistic images. Authorities around the globe are increasingly concerned concerning the sophistication of the technology and the nefarious uses it may be put to.
The CNN Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery company. All rights reserved.
image credit : www.mercurynews.com