An international scam operation used AI voice-cloning and deepfake video to impersonate corporate executives, stealing over $129 million since 2024.
The case highlights the growing security challenges surrounding synthetic media impersonation in corporate environments.
The group's activities began in 2024. The suspects pretended to be company executives and lawyers, convincing employees to send money via bank transfers.
How they set up the fraud
The attackers targeted accounting staff with the authority to approve large amounts of money. The communication usually began with an email that appeared to be sent by the company's CEO.
Targets were asked to sign confidentiality agreements and keep transactions secret. Then, during video calls, the perpetrators used technology to mimic the voice and appearance of real executives, while accomplices posing as lawyers pressured the employees to proceed with the money transfers.
The victims and the movement of money
Victims include a Missouri hospital that lost $4,8 million, a Rhode Island bank that lost nearly $2,7 million, and a British financial technology company that lost $11,5 million.
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Jacon Soall posed as British lawyers, while Sharon Hazan and Guy Sheetrit focused on "laundering" the money, converting it into cryptocurrencies.
The arrestees and the next day
Authorities in Europe arrested the three suspects this year in Spain and Britain. They are 41-year-old Jacon Soall, 54-year-old Sharon Hazan, and 42-year-old Guy Sheetrit.
The US Department of Justice is seeking their extradition. The three suspects face charges including identity theft, wire fraud and money laundering, which could carry up to 104 years in prison if convicted.
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