In a first-of-its-kind voice phishing (vishing) attack, fraudsters used an AI-based voice-generating software to trick users, and stole around $243,000 by impersonating the CEO of a UK-based energy firm. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the fraudsters used the AI-based software to fake the voice of the CEO of a UK-Based energy firm, a subsidiary of a German company. The targeted employees were tricked into believing that the call was from the CEO and this led to a fraudulent money transfer of around $243,000.
The fraudsters then asked to transfer the money to a Hungary-based supplier in an hour and promised to make a refund. However, the money was never refunded and another money transfer demand was made.
The report suggested that the money was first transferred to Hungary, after which it was redirected to Mexico and other places. Authorities have begun investigating the matter but it is still unknown as to who was involved in the malicious activity.
The company immediately turned down the second transfer as soon as it became aware of it. As for the money, the Group compensated the energy firm by transferring the amount lost in the attack.