CEO of WPP Targeted in Deepfake Scam to Defraud Executives of Money

As deepfakes continue to rise in prevalence, the threat of phishing attacks on companies has become more complex and harder to detect. Last week, the world’s largest advertising agency, WPP, based in London, fell victim to a sophisticated phishing attempt orchestrated by hackers.

The hackers used the voice and likeness of WPP CEO Mark Read to deceive employees into sending money. By creating a fake WhatsApp account and scheduling a Microsoft Teams video call with company executives, the hackers were able to make it appear as though Read was present in the meeting using voice cloning technology and YouTube footage.

Fortunately, the employees were vigilant and did not fall for the scam. In an email to colleagues, Read warned against falling for similar tactics, urging employees to be cautious of any requests for personal information or money transfers.

Despite this incident, WPP continues to work with major international companies such as Dell, Wendy’s, Uber, Johnson & Johnson, and Victoria’s Secret. Read emphasized the increasing sophistication of cyber-attacks targeting senior leaders and urged employees to remain vigilant.

Ironically, WPP had announced a partnership with chipmaker Nvidia last year to create generative AI advertisements, highlighting the transformative power of technology in marketing. With an estimated market cap of $11.43 billion, WPP remains a key player in the advertising industry, navigating the challenges posed by deepfakes and cyber threats.