Breaking

Israeli nationals Gai Shtrit and Sharon Hazan have been arrested for operating a sophisticated fraud network that used advanced artificial intelligence technology to impersonate corporate executives in video calls, according to reports from Israel Hayom and security sources.

The scam targeted multiple victims and resulted in the theft of approximately $129 million. The fraudsters used deepfake or voice-cloning AI technology to create convincing video and audio of company CEOs, enabling them to manipulate employees into authorising large financial transfers and disclosing sensitive information.

Sharon Hazan’s involvement marks a second serious criminal case for the suspect, who was previously convicted in the United States on related charges. The FBI has issued warnings about this emerging fraud methodology, which has successfully compromised banks and hospitals.

The case represents a significant escalation in cyber-fraud tactics, demonstrating how AI technology can be weaponised for large-scale financial crimes against institutional targets.

Sources: Ynet, www.israelhayom.co.il