Two Israelis Charged in US for $129 Million AI-Powered Global Fraud Scheme
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Two Israeli citizens, Sharon Hazan and Guy Shitrit, along with Jacob Suele, who holds British and Spanish citizenship, are accused in the U.S. of defrauding companies globally of over $129 million using AI. The defendants allegedly impersonated executives and lawyers to trick employees into transferring funds between 2024 and 2026. Hazan and Shitrit are accused of money laundering, while Suele allegedly impersonated lawyers. The three have been arrested in Spain and the UK and are awaiting extradition to the U.S. to face charges including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two Israelis and one dual national are accused of stealing over $129 million using AI technology.
- The defendants allegedly impersonated CEOs and lawyers to trick employees into making fraudulent transfers.
- The scheme targeted companies globally between 2024 and 2026, including a British fintech firm.
- Sharon Hazan and Guy Shitrit are accused of money laundering, while Jacob Suele impersonated lawyers.
- The three suspects have been arrested in Spain and the UK and await extradition to the U.S.
Two Israeli citizens and a third individual with British and Spanish citizenship are accused of stealing over $129 million from companies worldwide using artificial intelligence technology. The indictment, reported by Courthouse News Service, alleges that Sharon Hazan, 54, Guy Shitrit, 42, and Jacob Suele, 41, impersonated at least seven CEOs and senior executives between 2024 and 2026. The scheme involved contacting employees authorized to make financial transfers, falsely claiming an urgent need for funds for a confidential transaction, such as a company acquisition. The defendants allegedly used AI to mimic the voices and appearances of company CEOs in voice or video calls with these employees. A fourth conspirator, also impersonated using AI, posed as a lawyer and instructed employees to transfer money to bank accounts controlled by the defendants. Specific instances cited include over $11.5 million defrauded from a British fintech company in March 2025, more than $4.6 million from a Massachusetts mutual fund company in April 2025, and over $5.2 million stolen from a Florida pet food manufacturer in June 2025. Prosecutors claim Suele impersonated lawyers using scripts, while Hazan and Shitrit handled the money laundering. The three face charges including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Suele and Hazan were arrested in Spain in June and August respectively, and Shitrit was apprehended in the UK in September. All three are awaiting extradition decisions on U.S. requests.
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