Nicky Sokolov, 20, from Tzur Yitzhak, was arrested on suspicion that he used AI agents to impersonate dozens of people, open bank accounts, and obtain money and credit cards in their names. According to a report published Sunday by Kan News, the Cyber Unit of Lahav 433 suspects he stole more than 60 identities and used them to take hundreds of thousands of shekels.
Investigators say Sokolov exploited online bank-account opening procedures that do not require a branch visit, using identification systems that include an ID card photo, a selfie, and voice or video verification. The suspicion is that he obtained ID cards from hacked databases that had been leaked online, then built digital agents with artificial intelligence that presented themselves as the identity holders to bank systems.
Police believe the victims did not know accounts had been opened in their names. Through those accounts, credit cards were allegedly issued and cash was withdrawn and transferred to the suspect. The reported scope of the scheme includes more than 60 stolen identities and financial losses of hundreds of thousands of shekels.
The investigation led police to Thailand, where Sokolov had been staying. After an Israeli police liaison contacted local authorities, he was arrested and later deported after it emerged that he had remained in the country without a valid visa. He landed in Israel on Thursday and was arrested upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. The investigation is continuing.
