AI Voice and Video Fakes of CEOs Helped Scammers Steal $129 Million, US Prosecutors Allege

The US Justice Department has indicted three men, Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan and Guy Sheetrit, over an alleged scheme that used artificial intelligence to impersonate real corporate executives and lawyers. Prosecutors say the group contacted lower-level employees, claimed to need help with a confidential financial transaction, and mimicked the CEO's voice or image on the call. Employees were then told to speak with lawyers from a large international firm, who were also faked using AI. The alleged conspiracy ran from 2024 to 2026 and netted approximately $129 million.

Victims named in court documents include hospitals in Missouri and California, a Rhode Island bank, a UK tech company, a Massachusetts finance company and a Florida pet food company. Money was wired to accounts across the US, Europe, the UAE and China, then moved into cryptocurrency. Prosecutors say Soall typically played the lawyers using a script, while Hazan handled laundering the funds.

Soall and Hazan were arrested in Spain this summer, and Sheetrit was detained in the UK in September. Extradition requests are pending. The men face up to 104 years in prison on charges including money laundering, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. A senior FBI official said criminals continue to weaponise emerging technology such as AI. These are allegations, and the cases have not yet been decided in court.