Three Charged in $129 Million AI CEO Impersonation Fraud Scheme

According to the indictment unsealed in New York, the defendants targeted corporate employees authorized to make large financial transfers. They used AI technology to mimic the voices and appearances of company CEOs in voice and video calls, claiming an urgent need for funds to complete confidential transactions like acquisitions. To reinforce the deception, Suele allegedly used written scripts to impersonate lawyers from prominent international firms, who then instructed the victims to wire funds to accounts controlled by the network.

The fraudulent scheme successfully targeted numerous organizations globally, including hospital systems in Missouri and California, a Rhode Island bank, a Massachusetts mutual fund company, and a Florida pet food manufacturer. In one instance in March 2025, a British fintech company was defrauded of approximately $11.58 million. The stolen funds were channeled through bank accounts in multiple countries and converted into cryptocurrency to obscure their origin.

Hazan, who has a prior 2008 U.S. conviction for bank fraud conspiracy, is accused of laundering the proceeds and reportedly boasted of being the world's top money launderer. Shitrit is described as a digital marketing entrepreneur who also resides in the United Arab Emirates. The defendants face federal charges in the Southern District of New York, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering, which carry potential prison sentences of up to 20 years per count.