Israelis Accused of $129 Million US Fraud Using AI Voice Impersonation
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
Two Israelis and a Spanish citizen are charged in the U.S. with defrauding companies of $129 million using AI to impersonate executives. The FBI investigation found the trio allegedly used AI voice-cloning technology between July 2024 and February 2026. The defendants, identified as Jacob Sewall, Sharon Hazan, and Guy Shitrit, could face up to 20 years in prison.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two Israelis and a Spanish citizen are accused of a $129 million fraud scheme in the U.S.
- The defendants allegedly used AI to impersonate company executives and lawyers.
- The scheme aimed to trick employees into transferring large sums of money globally.
- The alleged fraud occurred between July 2024 and February 2026.
- The accused face a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Two Israelis and a Spanish citizen are accused of fraud, impersonation, and money laundering in a scheme to defraud U.S. companies of $129 million, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced Friday. An FBI investigation revealed that between July 2024 and February 2026, the trio allegedly used artificial intelligence tools to mimic the voices of company executives and prominent law firm partners. Their goal was to trick employees into transferring large sums of money to bank accounts globally. The defendants have been identified as Jacob Sewall, 41, a Spanish citizen who used the alias "Rocky Balboa"; Sharon Hazan, 54, a dual British and Israeli citizen with a prior conviction for money laundering in Manhattan; and Guy Shitrit, 42, a dual UAE and Israeli citizen. If convicted, the three face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
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