AI impersonates boss's voice, commits transnational fraud
Perpetrators used AI voice cloning and deepfake video to impersonate executives and lawyers, defrauding US and European businesses of over $129 million
- Reported date
- Nov 9, 2026
- Target
- corporate employees at various US and European businesses
The exact incident date was not established. This entry is dated by its source report.
Between July 2024 and early 2026, a transnational criminal network utilized AI-generated voice clones and deepfake video technology to deceive corporate employees into transferring over $129 million. The scheme targeted accountants and financial managers at various US and European organizations, including hospitals, fintech firms, and investment banks, by impersonating CEOs and legal counsel.
What happened
The perpetrators initiated contact through phishing emails, often requesting that employees sign confidentiality agreements before engaging in phone or video calls. To build credibility, the scammers used the names of real individuals from reputable global law firms. During these interactions, they employed AI to replicate the voices of executives and lawyers, often using scripts that cited financial regulations or insider trading risks to pressure employees into maintaining absolute secrecy.
Technically, the operation relied on the accessibility of modern synthesis tools. Prosecutors noted that the group required as little as one minute of audio to create a perfect voice replica and a single photograph to generate a deepfake video character. The scammers frequently targeted public figures whose voices were readily available from earnings calls and media appearances. Once victims were convinced, they were instructed to transfer funds into international bank accounts across countries including China, Singapore, and the UAE. The stolen assets were subsequently converted into cryptocurrency to obscure their origin.
In November 2025, an indictment revealed the arrest of three primary suspects: Jacob Soall, Sharon Hazan, and Guy Sheetrit. Authorities recovered evidence including a handwritten script titled "The Attorney's Call," which detailed methods for manipulating employees. The suspects are currently awaiting extradition to the United States to face charges of online fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. This incident highlights a broader trend identified by the FBI, which recorded over 22,000 AI-related complaints in 2025, resulting in losses exceeding $890 million.