Hong Kong Deepfakes Stole Millions

In January 2024, a finance worker in Hong Kong transferred $25.6 million to scammers after joining a video conference where every other participant, including the company's CFO and several recognized coworkers, was an AI-generated deepfake. The worker had initially suspected that an email requesting a secret transaction was a phishing attempt, but the familiar faces and voices on the call overcame those doubts. Following their instructions, the employee sent HK$200 million through 15 transactions to five local bank accounts. The fraud emerged only after the worker checked with the company's head office.

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