In a heist that could make Hollywood blush, an organized network from Georgia managed to con thousands of individuals across the UK, Europe, and Canada out of a staggering $35 million. Their weapon of choice? Deepfake videos featuring celebrities like Martin Lewis and Zoe Ball promoting fraudulent investment schemes. These convincing ads, plastered across Facebook and Google, lured victims into parting with their savings. The operation, based in Tbilisi, employed about 85 call center agents who defrauded around 6,000 victims globally. Notable casualties included a retired London Stock Exchange employee who lost over £162,000. The scammers even utilized new online banks like Revolut, Kroo, and Chase to process payments, prompting renewed calls for stricter regulations and more robust fraud prevention measures.
Be the first to comment