DV Uncovers New Large-Scale Audio Ad Fraud Scheme that Spoofed Over 500,000 Devices in March 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

DoubleVerify (DV) uncovered a new large-scale audio ad fraud scheme known as 'FM Scam' that spoofed over 500,000 devices, including smart speakers, during March 2024. This marks the second significant global scheme targeting audio spending after BeatSting. FM Scam involves fraudsters falsifying audio traffic using dedicated servers to blend invalid traffic with legitimate traffic. The impact analysis showed that the perpetrators generated up to 100 million ad requests monthly, defrauding advertisers and impacting quality audio sellers' yields. DV's Fraud Lab quickly detected and mitigated the attacks, utilizing AI-powered technology and human review.

DoubleVerify Fraud Lab discovers that, for the first time, smart audio speakers were spoofed by fraudsters

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DoubleVerify ("DV"), a leading software platform for digital media measurement, data, and analytics, today announced the discovery of “FM Scam,” the latest audio fraud scheme to date that was identified and mitigated by DV’s Fraud Lab using a proprietary combination of AI-powered technology and human review.

FM Scam represents the second significant global scheme targeting audio spending, emerging shortly after the DV Fraud Lab protected advertisers from BeatSting, the first major invalid traffic (IVT) scheme aimed at audio traffic. During the peak of both schemes, the combined financial impact on unprotected advertisers exceeded $1 million in spend monthly.

FM Scam perpetrators falsify audio traffic using dedicated servers. They also spoof a wide range of devices typically used for playing audio content. This tactic enables fraudsters to blend their invalid traffic with legitimate traffic in attempts to remain undetected. DV estimates that the fraudsters behind the scheme spoofed over 500,000 devices, including mobile phones, tablets, connected TV (CTV) devices, audio players, smartwatches and, for the first time, even smart speakers.

Fraudsters auction their invalid traffic through supply-side platforms (SSPs), exchanges and ad networks. DV’s impact analysis indicates that FM Scam generates up to 100 million ad requests monthly. In addition to defrauding advertisers, the fraudsters also are impacting the yield of quality audio sellers by siphoning money away from legitimate audio channels.

“Audio is rapidly becoming a lucrative target for fraudsters,” said Jack Smith, Chief Innovation Officer at DoubleVerify. “The range of players and devices used to stream audio content sets this environment apart from other media types. Fraudsters tend to focus on emerging media, like audio, that attracts advertising investments but lacks comprehensive measurement standards.”

FM Scam further blends in with legitimate traffic by mimicking the behavior of a typical continuous ad session. Unlike BeatSting, which switches between devices after generating a certain number of impressions, FM Scam creates longer, uninterrupted sessions. This randomizes the traffic pattern to appear more human-like, as opposed to delivering a consistent, fixed amount of impressions across devices.

When FM Scam emerged, the Fraud Lab quickly tied IP addresses used by the attack to a CTV scheme first detected in 2019. Some IPs were also associated with various malicious activities, including the spread of malware. The DV Fraud Lab immediately mitigated FM Scam’s attacks and has been continuously shutting down new variants of this scheme leveraging a proprietary combination of AI-powered technology and human review.

DV’s Fraud Lab — powered by a dedicated team of data scientists, mathematicians and analysts — performs ongoing detection and analysis of new types of digital ad fraud to uncover the latest schemes as they occur. Through continuous analysis, scenario management and research, the Fraud Lab pinpoints the sites, apps and devices responsible for fraudulent activity and updates protection for DV clients in real time.

For more information about the scheme, please visit www.doubleverify.com.

About DoubleVerify

DoubleVerify (“DV”) (NYSE: DV) is the industry’s leading media effectiveness platform that leverages AI to drive superior outcomes for global brands. By creating more effective, transparent ad transactions, DV strengthens the digital advertising ecosystem, ensuring a fair value exchange between buyers and sellers of digital media.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507674644/en/

Media Contact:

Chris Harihar

chris@crenshawcomm.com

Source: DoubleVerify

FAQ

What is the new large-scale audio ad fraud scheme uncovered by DoubleVerify in March 2024?

DoubleVerify discovered 'FM Scam,' which spoofed over 500,000 devices, including smart speakers.

How did the fraudsters behind FM Scam falsify audio traffic?

The fraudsters spoofed a wide range of devices typically used for playing audio content using dedicated servers.

What was the financial impact of both the FM Scam and the BeatSting schemes on unprotected advertisers?

The combined financial impact on unprotected advertisers exceeded $1 million monthly during the peak of both schemes.

How does FM Scam blend in with legitimate traffic?

FM Scam creates longer, uninterrupted ad sessions to appear more human-like and randomize traffic patterns.

How does DV's Fraud Lab mitigate FM Scam attacks?

DV's Fraud Lab utilizes a combination of AI-powered technology and human review to detect and shut down new variants of the scheme in real time.