Arup Hong Kong

British Engineering Giant Arup Falls Victim to $25 Million Deepfake Scam in Hong Kong

Arup, known for iconic buildings like the Sydney Opera House, lost HK$200 million to a deepfake video scam. Learn how AI-generated videos led to a massive financial loss for the renowned company.

British engineering giant Arup, renowned for its innovative designs including the Sydney Opera House, has recently been in the spotlight after falling victim to a multimillion-dollar deepfake video scam in Hong Kong. The company disclosed the loss of HK$200 million due to a sophisticated scam involving a digitally cloned version of its CFO who demanded monetary transfers.

Arup, a British multinational design and engineering company with a rich history in architectural masterpieces, confirmed that it was the target of a $25 million deepfake scam. The fraudulent scheme, executed through AI-generated video technology, tricked an employee into transferring a substantial sum of money to criminals posing as company officials.

The cyber attack, believed to have originated in Hong Kong, specifically targeted an Arup employee who was deceived by a deepfake 'CFO' during a video call. This incident sheds light on the growing threat of deepfake technology in financial fraud, posing significant risks to companies worldwide.

Design and engineering firm Arup's resilience in the face of the $25 million deepfake scam underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in today's digital age. As the company navigates the aftermath of this incident, it serves as a cautionary tale for businesses to vigilantly safeguard against emerging cyber threats, including sophisticated deepfake scams.