Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 42 mins ago
Three indicted over alleged AI scheme to steal $129 million
Three people were indicted in New York over an alleged scheme to steal about $129 million using artificial intelligence.
Prosecutors say Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan and Guy Sheetrit targeted thousands of companies worldwide over more than a year and a half.
The group allegedly used AI to mimic executives’ voices and images, while emails posed as messages from company CEOs.
The supposed executives directed employees to contact lawyers, whom the group also allegedly impersonated, and told them to wire large payments to accounts around the world.
The money was then converted into cryptocurrency and distributed to the trio and others, prosecutors say.
Victims included hospitals, a bank and financial companies, showing how the alleged fraud reached different industries and countries.
The defendants face wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money-laundering charges; each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years, except identity theft, which carries two.
Three people have been indicted in the United States over an alleged artificial intelligence scheme to steal about $129 million.
Prosecutors say Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan and Guy Sheetrit impersonated corporate executives and lawyers.
The indictment says the trio targeted thousands of companies worldwide over more than a year and a half.
Their alleged methods included AI-generated voice and image impersonations, followed by requests for large wire payments.
The defendants face charges including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
- Who
- Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan and Guy Sheetrit.
- What
- They were indicted on charges including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft over an alleged scheme to steal about $129 million using AI impersonations.
- When
- The alleged scheme lasted more than a year and a half. The indictment was announced on a Thursday.
- Where
- The indictment was filed in a U.S. District Court in New York; alleged victims included companies in several countries.
- Why
- The alleged scheme sought to obtain money and conceal its origins by converting funds into cryptocurrency.
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The three defendants were arrested during this period.
Prosecutors said the three had been indicted on charges including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
- Alleged theft
- About US$129 million
- Defendants
- Jacob Soall, 41; Sharon Hazan, 54; Guy Sheetrit, 42
- Alleged targets
- Thousands of companies worldwide
- Court
- U.S. District Court in New York
- Additional charge
- Money laundering
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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,