10.02.2025 16:59
A fraud attempt targeting businesspeople was made using the name and voice of Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. Scammers, who used artificial intelligence to mimic his voice, demanded ransom from several businesspeople and have managed to get approximately 1 million euros sent so far. Minister Crosetto announced that he would file a complaint with the prosecutor's office regarding the matter.
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A fraud attempt targeting the country's leading businessmen was reported, using the name and voice of Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, and one businessman was defrauded.
According to a report by La Repubblica, around 10 businessmen were attempted to be defrauded by individuals who mimicked Minister Crosetto's voice using artificial intelligence.
"THEY DEMANDED URGENT RANSOM"
The fraudsters called some businessmen by mimicking Crosetto's voice with artificial intelligence. In these calls, which were said to have been made from a supposed ministry landline after a general called and connected to the minister, it was stated that an urgent ransom needed to be paid for Italian journalists kidnapped in some Middle Eastern countries like Iran and Syria. The fraudsters claimed in the minister's voice that the ministry did not have a budget, but the Central Bank would later reimburse this money. Other reports in the media indicated that the fraudsters referred to the case of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Iran on December 19, 2024, and later released and returned to her country on January 8.
MORATTI: "IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE"
Among the businessmen targeted by the fraudsters were names such as Diego Della Valle, known for his investments in the fashion and transportation sectors, Giorgio Armani, the owner of the famous fashion brand Armani, Patrizio Bertelli, the CEO of another fashion giant Prada, businessman Lucia Aleotti, Francesco Caltagirone from the construction sector, Pietro Gussalli Beretta from the arms industry, and Massimo Moratti, the former president of Inter club and active in the energy sector. It was noted that the fraudsters managed to receive two transfers so far, which were made by Moratti, and the former president of Inter club sent a total of approximately 1 million euros. Moratti was reported to have said, "It can happen to anyone; it looked extremely realistic." It was also reported that two other businessmen, who were targeted by the fraudsters but did not send money, filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office.
"I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT"
Defense Minister Crosetto stated that he would file a complaint with the prosecutor's office regarding the matter and warned that fraud was being committed using his name on social media accounts. Crosetto mentioned in an interview with a television channel that he realized the situation after one of these individuals called him. It was noted that the Milan Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the qualified fraud allegations. In the context of the investigation, it was reported that the trail of the money sent by Moratti was being followed, and it was noted that the money might have been sent to one of the countries considered tax havens through foreign accounts.
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