Three Arrested in Global AI Impersonation Fraud Scheme

Three men have been arrested in connection with an alleged AI-enhanced impersonation fraud scheme that defrauded companies worldwide of more than $129 million.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan, and Guy Sheetrit used artificial intelligence (AI) to alter and impersonate the voices and images of corporate executives and attorneys.

The alleged fraud, which took place between 2024 and 2026, involved the perpetrators targeting employees of various companies. They would impersonate a corporate executive, instructing employees to assist with sensitive financial transactions.

Victims were then directed to contact lawyers at a large international law firm, where the fraudsters would further impersonate these legal professionals. Employees were subsequently convinced to wire large sums of money, ultimately resulting in the theft of over $129 million from companies, including those in the US, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Soall and Hazan were arrested in Spain over the summer, while Sheetrit was apprehended in the United Kingdom in September. The arrests highlight a growing concern within AI security, specifically the threat posed by malicious actors using AI to facilitate sophisticated cybercrime.

This incident falls into the category of ‘security from AI’, where AI tools are leveraged by adversaries to create new or enhance existing attack vectors, such as advanced social engineering and identity theft.