Using deepfake technology, a Hong Kong financier was recently defrauded into transferring the equivalent of NOK 271 million from the company's bank account. Økokrim is currently issuing a warning and asking companies and individuals to be aware of this fraud method.
What is deepfake technology?
Deepfake – is an image or video processing technique that involves combining images of human faces using techniques artificial intelligence. The technique is used to combine and overlay still and moving images onto source images or videos using AI. The surprisingly realistic moving images obtained in this way create the possibility of manipulation and make it almost impossible for the viewer to distinguish them, e.g. by changing the faces of people appearing in the film.
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The financier transferred the equivalent of NOK 271 million to the fraudsters from the company's bank account
Over the weekend, CNN wrote about an attack by fraudsters on a financier in Hong Kong. Down the fraud occurred during a video meeting with people, whom he considered his colleagues. However, it turned out that fraudsters were behind it.
Manipulation combined with artificial intelligence
The financier from Hong Kong had doubts at first when he was called. However, when he saw that his colleagues were taking part in the meeting, his doubts were dispelled.
The fraudsters used deepfake technology in the attack. Deepfake technology allows fraudsters to manipulate images, videos and voices to make themselves look like someone else. The financier's associates were not at the meeting. Both voices and people participating in the meeting the videos were faked. The meeting seemed very credible, thanks to which the fraudsters managed to deceive the financier. Unaware that it was a scam, the financier transferred millions to the fraudsters.
- We see fraudsters using artificial intelligence in combination with social manipulation. The goal is often to trick the victim into handing over confidential information, banking details, or to get the victim to give them money themselves, says Økokrim's director of prevention and intelligence, Lone Charlotte Pettersen.
There has been an increase in digital fraud in recent years
Økokrim notes that fraud attacks are becoming more targeted and sophisticated. IN there has been a significant increase in numbers in recent years digital frauds and there are so many of them now that it has become a social problem. Økokrim warns against criminals using artificial intelligence in their scams. The threat assessment also indicated that it is very likely that deepfakes will be increasingly used in fraud.
There is no reason to believe that we are any less vulnerable to these types of scams
- Criminals have started using deepfake technology, making attacks very credible. It is expected that in future criminals will use this technology to several forms of fraud. Økokrim asks companies and individuals to be aware of such fraud methods. There is no reason to believe that we are less vulnerable to these types of scams here than in Hong Kong , says Pettersen.
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Source: Økokrim, Photo: pixabay
