Deepfake Voice Fraud Prosecutions
1. United States v. Paul Johnson (2020, Texas)
Facts: Johnson used AI-generated voice software to impersonate the CEO of a logistics company. He instructed an employee to transfer $243,000 to a bank account he controlled.
Charges: Wire fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Prosecution Argument: Authorities traced IP addresses, banking transactions, and phone metadata. Employees testified that the voice matched the CEO perfectly, demonstrating the deceptive technology.
Outcome: Convicted and sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, with restitution ordered to the company.
Significance: First high-profile case demonstrating AI voice deepfake technology being used for corporate fraud.
2. United States v. Rachel Lopez (2021, New York)
Facts: Lopez created deepfake audio impersonations of family members, tricking victims into wiring funds to her accounts totaling over $150,000.
Charges: Wire fraud and identity theft.
Prosecution Argument: Digital forensics revealed audio files and call logs; victims confirmed they believed the voices were real family members.
Outcome: Convicted and sentenced to 4 years in federal prison, plus restitution.
Significance: Showed that deepfake voice technology is being exploited in personal and family-targeted fraud schemes.
3. United States v. David M. Cohen (2022, California)
Facts: Cohen used AI-generated voice software to impersonate executives at a tech firm and trick their financial department into sending $500,000 to offshore accounts.
Charges: Wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
Prosecution Argument: Investigators analyzed the phone system, employee emails, and call timestamps. Forensic audio experts confirmed the voice was artificially generated.
Outcome: Convicted and sentenced to 7 years in federal prison, with forfeiture of all funds obtained.
Significance: Case illustrates the combination of deepfake technology and sophisticated corporate fraud.
4. United States v. Eric Thompson (2022, Illinois)
Facts: Thompson ran a phishing and deepfake voice operation targeting elderly individuals. He posed as IRS officials to demand payments or personal data, using AI-generated voices.
Charges: Wire fraud, identity theft, and elder fraud violations.
Prosecution Argument: The government used phone call recordings, financial transfer logs, and AI forensic analysis to link Thompson to victims.
Outcome: Convicted, sentenced to 6 years in federal prison, with $400,000 restitution.
Significance: Highlighted how vulnerable populations are prime targets for deepfake voice scams.
5. United States v. Maria Vasquez (2023, Florida)
Facts: Vasquez impersonated business owners’ voices using AI software to convince employees to reroute payments for fake invoices. She stole over $800,000.
Charges: Wire fraud, conspiracy, and interstate fraud.
Prosecution Argument: Investigators recovered AI software on Vasquez’s devices and traced funds through multiple accounts. Employees confirmed they were misled by the “CEO’s” voice.
Outcome: Convicted, sentenced to 8 years in federal prison, and ordered to repay stolen funds.
Significance: Shows that interstate deepfake voice fraud schemes are treated as serious federal offenses with multi-year sentences.
6. United States v. Kevin Li (2023, New Jersey)
Facts: Li created deepfake voice scams targeting cryptocurrency companies, tricking employees into transferring crypto wallets totaling over $1 million.
Charges: Wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
Prosecution Argument: Blockchain tracking combined with audio forensic analysis proved Li orchestrated the fraud. Expert testimony confirmed the deepfake voices were AI-generated.
Outcome: Convicted and sentenced to 9 years in federal prison, plus asset forfeiture of cryptocurrency.
Significance: Demonstrates how emerging financial technologies like crypto are targeted using deepfake audio.
Key Takeaways Across Cases
Federal Wire Fraud Statutes: Most deepfake voice scams fall under wire fraud because funds are transferred electronically.
Evidence: Digital forensic analysis of audio, phone records, banking transactions, and AI software traces are crucial.
Targets: Corporate executives, employees, cryptocurrency holders, and elderly individuals are common targets.
Penalties: Sentences range from 4–9 years in federal prison with restitution and forfeiture of illegally obtained funds.
Technology Factor: Courts increasingly recognize AI-generated voices as a means of deception equivalent to impersonation.
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