Ferrari CEO Impersonated by AI in Deepfake Scam Attempt – Report

In a recent attempt to defraud Ferrari, scammers impersonating CEO Benedetto Vigna were thwarted by a vigilant executive. This incident underscores the increasing sophistication of scams using artificial intelligence, posing significant risks to the automotive industry and beyond.

According to a Bloomberg report, the scam began with a series of text messages sent to a Ferrari executive from an unknown number, purportedly from the CEO. The messages, accompanied by a profile picture of Mr. Vigna, detailed a confidential company acquisition and urged the executive to prepare for signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and to maintain discretion.

Following the texts, the executive received a phone call from the same number. The caller, mimicking Mr. Vigna’s distinctive southern Italian accent, cited security concerns for using a different number and discussed a sensitive matter involving a currency hedge—a financial strategy to mitigate exchange rate risks.

Despite the convincing voice and scenario, the executive grew suspicious due to subtle irregularities in the caller’s intonation. To verify the caller’s identity, the executive asked a specific question about a book recommendation Mr. Vigna had made recently. The call ended abruptly when the caller couldn’t provide the correct answer.

Subsequent inquiries confirmed that the call was part of a scam, with the scammers using AI technology to replicate Mr. Vigna’s voice. This attempt highlights how advancements in AI have made it possible to convincingly imitate public figures, posing a new type of threat to corporations.

This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by AI-driven scams. The automotive industry, and businesses in general, must stay vigilant and implement stringent verification processes to protect against such sophisticated fraud attempts. The quick thinking of the Ferrari executive prevented potential financial and reputational damage, but it also serves as a cautionary tale for the industry to enhance its security measures.