Three men have been charged in an international fraud scheme that utilized artificial intelligence to impersonate corporate CEOs and attorneys, stealing more than $129 million from companies worldwide between July 2024 and February 2026, according to federal prosecutors.
Indictment Unsealed in New York Names Three Defendants
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed an indictment on November 5 charging three foreign nationals for their roles in the sophisticated operation. The defendants are Jacob Soall, 41, Sharon Hazan, 54, and Guy Sheetrit, 42, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
A total of seven counts have been brought against every defendant, consisting of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, two counts of money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Wire fraud and money laundering each carry maximum sentences of 20 years, while each aggravated identity theft count carries two years. The defendants face allegations, not convictions, and retain the presumption of innocence in the case.
How the AI Impersonation and Wire Fraud Scheme Operated
The conspiracy typically began with an email sent through an electronic signature company such as DocuSign, appearing to originate from a target company’s chief executive. Prosecutors state the message would direct an accounting employee handling large wire transfers toward a supposed confidential transaction. The messages described confidential transactions involving corporate acquisitions.
Following the email, conspirators instructed employees to arrange compliance calls. During subsequent phone or video interactions, the participants allegedly used artificial intelligence to mimic the executive’s voice and sometimes appearance. Frequently assuming the identity of a genuine attorney from a major international law firm’s European branch, the bogus executive then redirected the worker toward this purported legal counsel.
To convince the employee that the fraudulent financial transfer was legitimate, the operators also impersonated lawyers who used language meant to keep employees from talking to colleagues, citing greater security concerns around insider trading.
Soall primarily handled attorney impersonations and utilized a handwritten script titled Lawyer Call
designed to discourage employees from discussing transactions with colleagues, according to investigators. Soall, Hazan, and Sheetrit used aliases including “Rocky Balboa,” “Superman Cash,” and “Fat Boy.”
Prosecutors Outline Losses Across Multiple Sectors
While charging documents do not identify every victim by name, prosecutors outlined losses across multiple sectors in the United States and internationally.
| Victim Organization Type | Location | Alleged Loss Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UK-based financial technology company | United Kingdom | $11,578,474 |
| Hospital system | Missouri | $4,829,580 |
| Pet food company | Florida | $5,242,747 |
| Hospital system | California | $2,968,497 |
| Mutual fund | Massachusetts | Over $4,600,000 |
| Bank | Rhode Island | About $2,680,000 |
In one instance involving a major New York investment bank, an employee approved a payment of approximately $2.85 million, but the bank’s back office stopped the wire before it left.
Law Enforcement Detains Co-Conspirators Across Europe
Law enforcement agencies detained the co-conspirators across Europe. Soall was arrested in Spain on June 17, Hazan was arrested in Spain on September 7, and Sheetrit was taken into custody in the United Kingdom on September 7, according to judicial filings. Extradition requests for all three defendants remain pending.
Investigators allege Hazan and Sheetrit managed the money laundering operations.
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 New Yorkers and businesses operating in our communities.
James C. Barnacle, Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office
