Three foreign nationals have been arrested and charged with using artificial intelligence to impersonate corporate executives and attorneys in a scheme that netted more than $129 million in stolen funds. The indictment, newly unsealed by the US Department of Justice, details how Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan, and Guy Sheetrit exploited voice and image cloning technology to deceive employees at various companies.
According to the United States attorney’s office for the southern district of New York, the alleged fraud occurred between 2024 and 2026. Soall and Hazan were taken into custody in Spain over the summer, while Sheetrit was arrested in the United Kingdom in September. The men are accused of targeting employees at companies across the globe, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other regions.
AI CEO impersonation and financial theft
The indictment describes a multi-step process where the men used AI to alter voices and images of executives. They would contact employees, posing as corporate leaders, and instruct them to handle sensitive financial transactions. The employees were then directed to contact lawyers at large international law firms. The conspirators would subsequently impersonate these attorneys to finalize the transfer of funds.
The stolen money was wired to bank accounts in numerous countries, including the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia, and China. Once the funds were transferred, the men allegedly converted the money into cryptocurrency to conceal its source and ownership. The proceeds were then distributed among the conspirators and their associates.
Specific victims identified in the charges include a hospital system in Missouri, from which nearly $5 million was stolen. A Rhode Island bank lost approximately $2.7 million, while a California hospital system was defrauded of about $3 million. A mutual fund in Massachusetts lost over $4.6 million, and a pet food company in Florida was targeted for $5 million. Additionally, a UK tech company lost more than $11 million.
Aliases and legal charges
Soall and Hazan operated under several aliases during the scheme. Soall used the nicknames “Seba Clarke” and “Rocky Balboa,” while Hazan went by “Superman Cash,” “Fat Boy,” and “Ron.” The men have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, various counts of money-laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft.
James C Barnacle Jr, the FBI assistant director in charge, addressed the case in a statement. “The alleged scheme orchestrated by Soall, Hazan, and Sheetrit demonstrates how the use of advanced technology can be exploited to commit large-scale fraud,” Barnacle said. “As criminals continue to weaponize emerging technologies, the FBI remains committed to rapidly adapting our capabilities to identify, investigate, and disrupt those who seek to harm New Yorkers and businesses operating in our communities.”
US Attorney Jamie McDonald also issued a statement regarding the case. McDonald noted that while artificial intelligence holds great potential, the public must recognize that some individuals may seek to use the technology for criminal purposes. The three men remain in custody as legal proceedings continue.
Source: The Guardian
