Three Foreign Nationals Charged in $129m AI Impersonation Scheme
Three foreign nationals were arrested and charged with orchestrating an international fraud scheme that used artificial intelligence to impersonate corporate executives and attorneys, stealing more than $129m from companies worldwide, the US Department of Justice announced. Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan, and Guy Sheetrit face federal charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money-laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft according to an unsealed indictment from the US attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York.
The alleged financial crimes occurred between 2024 and 2026, according to the press release issued by federal prosecutors. Law enforcement authorities arrested Soall and Hazan in Spain over the summer, while Sheetrit was arrested in the United Kingdom in September. The defendants used various aliases during the operation, with Soall utilizing nicknames such as “Seba Clarke” and “Rocky Balboa,” and Hazan operating under monikers including “Superman Cash,” “Fat Boy,” and “Ron.”
Global Targets and Financial Losses Across Multiple Sectors
The perpetrators utilized AI-generated voice and image alteration to pose as corporate executives, contacting company employees to tell them they needed their help with sensitive financial transactions. The scheme directed targeted workers to communicate with supposed lawyers at a large international law firm, with the defendants impersonating lawyers at these firms. Employees were then persuaded to execute large wire transfers to bank accounts located in the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia, and China.
Victims of the operation spanned multiple industries and countries. The defendants allegedly stole nearly $5m from a hospital system headquartered in Missouri, approximately $2.7m from a Rhode Island bank, about $3m from a California hospital system, over $4.6m from a Massachusetts mutual fund, and roughly $5m from a Florida pet food company. Beyond American shores, the group allegedly stole more than $11m from a UK technology company. Once funds landed in bank accounts, the co-conspirators converted the money into cryptocurrency to obscure the trail before distributing the proceeds among themselves, prosecutors stated.
Federal officials warn about growing artificial intelligence threats
Federal officials emphasized the growing threat posed by the malicious weaponization of emerging technologies. Jamie McDonald, a US attorney, stated that artificial intelligence carries great potential but requires public vigilance against criminal exploitation. James C Barnacle Jr, the FBI assistant director in charge, noted that the case illustrates how advanced technology enables large-scale financial crimes. The FBI remains committed to rapidly adapting investigative capabilities to disrupt actors targeting businesses and communities, according to agency statements.
How fraudsters used artificial intelligence to impersonate executives
How did the defendants use artificial intelligence in the fraud scheme?
The defendants used AI to alter and impersonate the voices and images of actual corporate executives and attorneys. This technology allowed them to deceive employees into believing they were speaking with company leadership during sensitive financial transactions.
When and where were the suspects apprehended?
Jacob Soall and Sharon Hazan were arrested in Spain during the summer, and Guy Sheetrit was taken into custody in the United Kingdom in September, according to the Department of Justice.
What specific criminal charges do the defendants face?
The three men have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, various counts of money-laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft.
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