Three Men Accused of Using AI to Impersonate CEOs and Lawyers in $129 Million International Fraud Scheme

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US prosecutors have charged three men accused of using artificial intelligence to impersonate company executives and lawyers in an elaborate international fraud scheme that allegedly stole more than $129 million from businesses worldwide. The suspects reportedly used AI-generated voices and images to convince employees that they were communicating with senior executives and legal representatives, persuading them to approve large financial transfers into accounts controlled by the alleged criminal network.

The indictment, unsealed in a federal court in New York, names Jacob Soall, 41, Sharon Hazan, 54, and Guy Sheetrit, 42. Prosecutors allege that the scheme operated between 2024 and 2026, targeting thousands of companies across different countries. The suspects allegedly began by sending emails pretending to come from company chief executives, asking accounting and finance employees to assist with confidential business transactions. They would then arrange phone or video calls using AI technology to imitate the executives’ voices and, in some cases, their appearances.

After gaining employees’ trust, the alleged fraudsters would direct them to lawyers supposedly representing the companies in the transactions. However, prosecutors say these legal professionals were also impersonated by members of the group. Employees were then instructed to transfer substantial sums into bank accounts controlled by the suspects and their associates. The money was subsequently converted into cryptocurrency in an attempt to conceal its origins and make it harder to trace.

Among the alleged victims were hospitals in Missouri and California, a bank in Rhode Island, a financial technology company in the United Kingdom, a Massachusetts-based mutual fund firm and a Florida pet-food company. One of the largest reported losses involved the British fintech company, which allegedly transferred approximately $11.6 million to the criminal network. A Missouri hospital system reportedly lost about $4.8 million.

The three suspects were arrested in separate European operations between June and September 2026. Soall was arrested in Spain, Hazan was also arrested in Spain, while Sheetrit was apprehended in the United Kingdom. US authorities have requested their extradition to face prosecution. They are charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering offences. If convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences, with some charges carrying maximum penalties of up to 20 years. Hazan also has a previous conviction for conspiracy to commit bank fraud in New York in 2008.

The case highlights the growing threat posed by AI-powered fraud, particularly as criminals become increasingly capable of reproducing realistic voices and images. It also raises concerns about the security of corporate financial operations, where employees may be pressured to act quickly on seemingly genuine instructions from senior executives. US authorities have urged businesses to strengthen verification procedures for large transfers and confidential transactions. However, the allegations have not yet been proven in court, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.