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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Indictment Announced in Multi-Million Dollar AI Impersonation Scheme
Three individuals have been indicted in New York on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for an elaborate ai impersonation scam that allegedly stole approximately $129 million from companies around the world. The indictment was unsealed Thursday by federal prosecutors, outlining the use of artificial intelligence to mimic corporate executives and attorneys.
Global Targets: Companies and Sectors Affected
According to court documents, the accused—Jacob Soall, 41, Sharon Hazan, 54, and Guy Sheetrit, 42—executed their wire fraud scheme over more than eighteen months. Among the global victims were hospital systems in Missouri and California, a Rhode Island bank, a United Kingdom-based financial technology firm, a Massachusetts mutual fund company, and a Florida pet food company.
Modus Operandi: AI Used to Deceive Accounting Departments
The indictment describes how the group targeted thousands of companies, often focusing on their accounting departments. They would initiate contact via emails that appeared to come from the company CEO, requesting confidential assistance with high-value financial transactions. The suspects then set up phone or video calls where they used AI technology to mimic the CEO's voice—and sometimes image—to further the deception. This use of digital fraud techniques in corporate executive fraud is considered a major escalation in cyber-enabled crime.
Attorney Impersonation and Financial Transaction Scam
After gaining trust, the group would direct employees to consult with an attorney at a prominent law firm—another role the suspects were prepared to impersonate. According to the U.S. attorney's office, Soall often acted as the attorney, utilizing a handwritten script titled "Lawyer Call" to convincingly defraud victims. The fake attorney would then instruct company staff to wire large sums of money to various bank accounts overseas. These funds were ultimately converted into cryptocurrency in an attempt to conceal their origins, a process investigators described as cryptocurrency laundering.
Details of the International Conspiracy
The defendants, who are from Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates, face additional charges of money laundering. The arrests of the three suspects took place between June and September. Sharon Hazan, one of the accused, has a prior 2008 conviction in New York for conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
FBI Investigation and Maximum Penalties
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI, commented on the case’s significance: "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 businesses operating in our communities." According to the U.S. attorney’s office, each of the charges carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, with aggravated identity theft charges carrying a potential two-year sentence.
Legal Representation and Ongoing Proceedings
Lawyers for Soall and Sheetrit did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was unclear at the time of reporting whether Hazan had legal representation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York did not respond to further inquiries.
Developing: Digital Fraud in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
This case has highlighted increasing concerns regarding artificial intelligence fraud, attorney impersonation, and the growing sophistication of technology-driven financial crimes. Federal authorities have emphasized the need for vigilance among companies, particularly their accounting and financial departments, to withstand new types of targeted scams.
Source: toronto.citynews.ca.
