Three Men Accused of Using AI Deepfakes in $129 Million Business Fraud
Summary
The Justice Department says three men used AI-generated CEO and lawyer impersonations to trick businesses into transferring at least $129 million. The accused face wire fraud, identity theft and money laundering charges.
Key points
- Prosecutors allege the scheme targeted thousands of victims between July 2024 and February 2026.
- The accused allegedly used AI-generated voices and images to impersonate CEOs and lawyers and make financial transfers appear legitimate.
- The alleged scheme targeted employees with authority to approve large wire transfers, often starting with an email about a confidential transaction and an NDA.
- Prosecutors say transfers went to co-conspirator-controlled accounts in multiple countries, then were converted to cryptocurrency.
- The Justice Department says the losses totaled at least $129 million; listed victims include companies in financial technology, healthcare, banking and other sectors.
- The three men were arrested in Spain and the United Kingdom and face wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering charges.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Alleged AI-enabled business fraud using deepfake impersonation of executives and attorneys to induce large wire transfers.
- Impact
- The Justice Department says the scheme defrauded businesses of at least $129 million. Reported victims included financial, healthcare, pet food, investment, and banking organizations; the alleged proceeds were converted to cryptocurrency.
MITRE ATT&CK
People
Threat Actors
Guy SheetritProsecutors allege he participated in the scheme and laundered funds from it; he was arrested in the United Kingdom on September 7.Jacob SoallProsecutors allege he participated in the scheme using AI impersonations to defraud businesses; he was arrested in Spain on June 17.Sharon HazanProsecutors allege he participated in the scheme to defraud businesses and launder proceeds; he was arrested in Spain on August 5.
Countries
Austriathe world, including the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China.Chinathe United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China.Greeceaccounts controlled by co-conspirators around the world, including the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China.IsraelHazan, a 54-year-old from Israel, was arrested in Spain on Aug.Portugalto bank accounts controlled by co-conspirators around the world, including the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China.Singaporearound the world, including the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China.Slovakiaincluding the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China.Spainwere sent to bank accounts controlled by co-conspirators around the world, including the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China.United Arab Emiratesby co-conspirators around the world, including the United States, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China.United KingdomHe allegedly primarily impersonated attorneys from the United Kingdom, reading from a handwritten script designed to dupe targeted victims.United States“Super intelligence technology offers tremendous potential, but the public should recognize that there are some who seek to use this emerging technology to pursue criminal goals,” Jamie McDonald, U.S.