2024-05-10 (disclosed), The Guardian reported the attempt on 10 May 2024; WPP did not say when it took place. · GB · WPP

WPP CEO impersonated with a voice clone on Teams, 2024

Unconfirmed by a primary sourceWPP confirmed the attempt only in a statement to The Guardian, and the CEO's internal email is not public; no company filing or law enforcement source covers it.

Attempt that did not succeed.

Fraudsters created a WhatsApp account using a public photo of WPP CEO Mark Read and used it to set up a Microsoft Teams meeting that appeared to include him and another senior executive. In the meeting they used a voice clone and YouTube footage of the executive, and impersonated Read in the chat. They targeted an agency leader, asking them to set up a new business to solicit money and personal details. The Guardian reported Read's internal email; a WPP spokesperson said the attempt was prevented.

Timeline

1. 2024-05-10 The Guardian reports the attempt, citing Read's email to leadership and a WPP statement that the incident was prevented.

Lessons

• Do not trust a messaging account because it shows an executive's photo; confirm through a known channel.
• Treat any request for a secret acquisition, transaction or payment that no one else knows about as a red flag, as Read's email warned.
• Warn senior leaders that virtual meetings can include voice clones and recycled public video.

Scam types: Deepfake CEO voice and messaging fraud · Techniques: Voice phishing (vishing)

Sources

1. The Guardian: CEO of world's biggest ad firm targeted by deepfake scam (News report, secondary, accessed 2026-09-24)