Prosecutors say three men used AI to pose as bosses and lawyers and tricked staff into wiring over $129 million. Here is how it worked and what to check.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say three men used artificial intelligence to pose as company executives and lawyers, and tricked employees into wiring more than $129 million. The indictment is now public. It says the scheme ran from 2024 to 2026 and hit companies around the world.
Prosecutors say the men faked voices and images. In the first stage, they allegedly posed as a company executive and told an employee they needed help with a confidential financial matter. In the second, the employee was sent to talk with attorneys at a major international law firm. The men allegedly played those lawyers too. The employee was then told to wire large sums as instructed.
Prosecutors named these alleged losses:
Those amounts add up to less than the full total, so other victims are likely not listed in the material available.
Prosecutors say the funds moved through accounts in countries including the U.S., Spain, Portugal, Greece, the UAE, Singapore, Austria, Slovakia and China. The money was then converted to cryptocurrency, which hid where it came from, and split among the conspirators.
Anyone who can send company money should take this seriously. That includes staff at hospitals, banks, funds and small businesses. The material describes attacks on company payments, not on everyday shoppers. Still, the same trick, a trusted voice or face asking for secret, urgent action, can be aimed at anyone. The steps in the alert box above show how to protect yourself.
The three men are Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan and Guy Sheetrit. Soall and Hazan were arrested in Spain this summer. Sheetrit was taken into custody in the United Kingdom in September. They face charges tied to wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and identity theft. An indictment is an accusation, not a finding of guilt.
Not yet clear from the reporting: how many employees were fooled, whether any money was recovered, and when a trial might happen. U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said AI holds great promise but can also be turned to criminal ends.
If a boss or lawyer asks for a secret wire transfer, even on a convincing call, stop and verify it through a number you already have.
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