Fake CEO, fake lawyer: the two-impostor deal

A cloned-voice CEO introduces an outside lawyer at a real law firm, who “confirms” a confidential deal. Checking with the second person is exactly what the scheme expects.

What it looks like

Email + call · Outside counsel, a top international law firm

“Your CEO asked me to coordinate the confidential acquisition. Please sign the attached NDA first — then a short compliance call before today’s wire.”

How it usually ends

Both were impostors: the CEO’s voice was cloned, and the lawyer borrowed the name of a real partner. The wire went to an account abroad.

Red flags

A confidential deal, with an NDA before any payment
The second person who “confirms” it was introduced by the first
A wire to a new account, today

A real case

In November 2026 US prosecutors charged three men over more than $129M taken from companies with cloned executive voices and a fake lawyer at a real law firm who “confirmed” the deal (allegations).

What to do

Verify with people you find yourself — the CEO on the directory number, the law firm on its official switchboard.
Never let the requester choose who confirms their request.
Follow the payment process, however senior the request.

Could you spot it in the moment?

In Painted Sky you’re born at random somewhere on Earth and live a whole life — and this scam is one of the fakes that can find you. Make the call yourself, then replay the same life with a lens that shows what was fake.

Play Painted Sky — free →