Three charged in alleged $129 million AI impersonation scheme

AI · First reported 6 Nov, 03:03 · Updated 06:04

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center / Jonny Kim · Public domain

US prosecutors say Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan and Guy Sheetrit used AI to impersonate corporate executives and lawyers, persuading employees to wire money in a scheme that allegedly stole about $129 million. The indictment includes wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges; the defendants also face money-laundering charges.

The indictment alleges that the three targeted companies for more than a year and a half, often contacting accounting staff with requests framed as confidential transactions from a CEO.
Prosecutors say the group used AI-generated voice or image impersonations of executives and lawyers to make payment requests appear legitimate.
The alleged proceeds were sent to bank accounts around the world; court documents say funds were converted into cryptocurrency to obscure their origin.
The named victims included hospital systems in Missouri and California, a Rhode Island bank, a UK financial technology company, a Massachusetts mutual fund company and a Florida pet food company.
The defendants were arrested between June and September. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years, except aggravated identity theft, which carries two years, according to the US Attorney’s Office.

Summary written by Lux AI from 4 articles

Key facts

Amount prosecutors say was stolen: About $129 million
People charged: Jacob Soall, 41; Sharon Hazan, 54; Guy Sheetrit, 42
Charges reported: Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering
Alleged duration: More than a year and a half
Potential maximum sentence: Up to 20 years for each charge except aggravated identity theft, which carries two years