Yazılar

Brazilian Police Bust Deepfake Scam Using Gisele Bündchen’s Image in Instagram Ads

/in /tarafından

Brazilian authorities have dismantled a nationwide fraud network that used deepfake videos of supermodel Gisele Bündchen and other celebrities in Instagram ads to trick victims into buying fake products, marking one of the country’s first major crackdowns on AI-powered online scams.

Police arrested four suspects this week and froze assets across five states, after investigators traced more than 20 million reais ($3.9 million) in suspicious transactions uncovered by Brazil’s anti–money laundering agency COAF.

The investigation began in August 2024, when a victim reported being deceived by an Instagram ad showing an AI-generated video of Bündchen promoting a nonexistent skincare product. Another fraudulent campaign featured the supermodel supposedly offering free suitcases, with users asked to pay only for shipping—items that never arrived.

According to Eibert Moreira Neto, head of the cybercrime unit in Rio Grande do Sul, the group created a “series of scams” using deepfakes of multiple celebrities and fake betting platforms. Investigators believe the criminals operated at mass scale, collecting many small payments—usually under 100 reais ($19)—from victims who rarely reported the losses.

“That created a perverse situation,” explained investigator Isadora Galian. “The criminals enjoyed a kind of statistical immunity—they knew most people would not complain, so they operated without fear.”

Meta, owner of Instagram, said its policies ban ads that deceptively use public figures and that such content is removed “when detected.” The company added that it uses AI-based detection systems, trained review teams, and reporting tools to fight celebrity-impersonation scams.

A spokesperson for Bündchen’s team urged consumers to verify suspicious offers, avoid ads promising unrealistic discounts or giveaways, and report fraudulent content to authorities or official brand channels.

The case has broader implications for Brazil’s fight against digital deception. In June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that social media platforms can be held liable for criminal ads if they fail to remove them swiftly—even without a court order.

The Rio Grande do Sul operation underscores the growing criminal use of deepfake technology, which allows scammers to replicate celebrity likenesses with stunning realism. What once required Hollywood budgets can now be done with cheap AI tools and a few clicks—a reality that’s forcing regulators, platforms, and the public to confront a new era of synthetic fraud.

Accenture to Acquire Australian Cybersecurity Firm CyberCX in $650 Million Deal

/in /tarafından

Accenture (ACN.N) announced on Thursday that it will acquire Australian cybersecurity company CyberCX in what represents its largest-ever deal in the sector. The Australian Financial Review reported the transaction is valued at over A$1 billion ($650 million).

The deal highlights the growing demand for advanced cybersecurity services as businesses face increasingly sophisticated digital threats. Australia has seen a series of high-profile cyberattacks, including the 2022 Optus breach that exposed data of up to 10 million users, and a Medibank hack affecting nearly 10 million customers. In July, Qantas Airways also reported a breach of one of its call centres, impacting six million customers.

Melbourne-based CyberCX was created in 2019 through the merger of 12 smaller cybersecurity firms backed by private equity firm BGH Capital, which is selling the company. CyberCX employs around 1,400 staff and operates security operations centres across Australia and New Zealand, with additional offices in London and New York.

The company is led by John Paitaridis, formerly managing director of Optus Business, and Chief Strategy Officer Alastair MacGibbon, who previously served as Australia’s national cybersecurity coordinator. Their experience is notable given Optus’ 2022 data breach that compromised names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and passport and driver’s license information.

Accenture has been actively expanding its security services, completing 20 acquisitions in the sector since 2015, including Brazilian firm Morphus, MNEMO Mexico, and Spain-based Innotec Security. Domestically, Accenture signed a $700 million collaborative agreement with Telstra in February to implement AI capabilities across the telecommunications company.

Italy’s Leonardo to Acquire European Cybersecurity Firm Amid Sector Expansion

/in /tarafından

Leonardo (LDOF.MI), Italy’s state-controlled aerospace and defense giant, is preparing to announce the acquisition of a European cybersecurity company, according to comments made Tuesday by Chairman Stefano Pontecorvo in an interview with Reuters.

While Pontecorvo did not disclose the identity of the target firm or specify a closing timeline, he emphasized the strategic importance of the deal. “Cybersecurity is an essential component in so-called multi-domain warfare, where everything is connected with everything,” he said. “Connections must be secure so that the enemy cannot use parts of a system.”

The move aligns with Leonardo’s broader strategy to consolidate and grow its cybersecurity operations, which the company sees as a critical pillar in modern defense architecture.

Back in October, CEO Roberto Cingolani confirmed the group was exploring multiple acquisition targets—both in Italy and abroad—adding that no deal would exceed 15% of the division’s annual turnover. He also projected double-digit growth for Leonardo’s cybersecurity segment in the years ahead.

Speaking at the Paris Airshow, Pontecorvo also signaled that the evolving and increasingly complex nature of cyber threats would likely encourage more collaborations across the defense and tech sectors, as the demand for specialized cybersecurity solutions grows.

The upcoming acquisition is expected to strengthen Leonardo’s positioning within European defense networks, as the continent accelerates digital and military integration in response to rising geopolitical tensions.