Ever get a call from a government official asking for cash? No? Well, one of Italy’s top businessmen did—and it cost him nearly a million euros. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t actually the Italian Defence Minister on the other end of the line.
In a shocking AI-powered scam, fraudsters used artificial intelligence to impersonate Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, tricking former Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti into wiring nearly €1 million to a foreign bank account. The money was recently located and frozen in the Netherlands, but the case exposes a growing and sophisticated cyber threat.
How It Works:
- Scammers used AI to perfectly mimic the voice of Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.
- They placed calls that appeared to come from legitimate government offices in Rome.
- Targets were told that urgent funds were needed to free kidnapped Italian journalists in the Middle East.
- Victims were reassured that the Bank of Italy would reimburse them.
- Once the money was wired, the fraudsters vanished—until investigators traced the funds to a Dutch account.
Who’s Targeted:
The scam targeted some of Italy’s most high-profile business figures, including Giorgio Armani and Prada co-founder Patrizio Bertelli. However, only Moratti fell for the deception, proving that even the most experienced individuals can be vulnerable.
Real-Life Example:
“It all seemed real. They were good. It could happen to anyone,” Moratti told Italian daily La Repubblica after realizing he had been conned. His legal complaint led to the successful freezing of the stolen funds.
Why You Should Care:
AI-driven scams are on the rise, and they’re getting scarily convincing. Imagine receiving a call from your boss, a government official, or even a family member—only to later discover it was a deepfake. This case highlights how criminals are leveraging technology to manipulate and deceive, making traditional fraud detection methods obsolete.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify Calls Independently – If someone claims to be a high-ranking official, call their office directly to confirm.
- Be Skeptical of Urgent Financial Requests – Government bodies don’t typically ask for private donations for official operations.
- Check Caller ID but Don’t Trust It – Scammers can spoof numbers to make it appear as though they are calling from a legitimate source.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication – Secure financial transactions with extra verification steps.
- Educate Yourself on AI Fraud – Awareness is your best defense. If a request feels off, it probably is.
Quick Tips & Updates:
- Quick Tip #1: “Did you know? AI can now replicate voices with as little as 10 seconds of audio.”
- Quick Tip #2: “Pro Tip: If someone sounds like a trusted person but asks for something unusual, request a video call or ask a personal question only they would know.”
Stay safe, stay informed.
Definitions of Key Terms:
- AI-powered scam – A fraudulent scheme that utilizes artificial intelligence to deceive victims, often by mimicking voices or creating deepfake visuals.
- Deepfake – Synthetic media created using AI to manipulate or superimpose someone’s likeness onto another video or audio recording.
- Caller ID Spoofing – A technique where scammers disguise their real phone number to make it appear as though they are calling from a trusted source.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – A security measure that requires multiple forms of verification before granting access to an account or completing a transaction.
- Cyber Threat – Any potential danger that seeks to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to digital systems, data, or networks.
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