SAVANNAH, GA – Ghaleb Alaumary, a central figure in a sprawling international cybercrime ring, is awaiting sentencing after a painstaking investigation by the U.S. Secret Service and a network of global law enforcement agencies. Alaumary, allegedly responsible for at least 50% of wire-related fraud impacting the US and Canada, spearheaded schemes that included account takeovers, romance scams, business email compromises, and ATM cash-out operations reaching across the globe.
The Secret Service’s Savannah Resident Office initiated the probe in November 2017, quickly uncovering a sophisticated operation that siphoned funds from victims worldwide. Alaumary didn’t work alone. He collaborated with a vast network of cyber actors, leveraging cryptocurrency and traditional “hawala” money transfer systems to launder funds and obscure the trail of illicit gains. Investigators estimate Alaumary’s schemes involved attempted financial crimes totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
The investigation, bolstered by crucial data analysis from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), allowed agents to build a solid case against Alaumary. He was indicted in May 2019 for his role in the 2017 account takeovers. In October 2019, the Secret Service executed a flawless arrest, intercepting Alaumary as he arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This wasn’t a solo victory; the Secret Service leaned heavily on international cooperation.
Agencies assisting in the takedown included the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, the FBI, the Estonian National Police, the Department of Justice, and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. This collaborative effort underscored the global scope of the threat and the necessity of coordinated law enforcement responses. The case has drawn significant media attention due to the devastating impact of these types of cybercrimes on both the financial infrastructure and individual victims.
Assistant Director Jeremy Sheridan of the U.S. Secret Service – Office of Investigations, hailed the case as a demonstration of the agency’s investigative capabilities and the strength of its partnerships. “The success in this case demonstrates the investigative capabilities of the Secret Service and the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners,” Sheridan stated. FinCEN recently honored the Secret Service team with its Director’s Award within the Cyber Threat category, recognizing their dedication and diligence.
Ghaleb Alaumary has pleaded guilty to all federal charges in the Southern District of Georgia and now awaits sentencing. While the arrest represents a major victory, investigators warn that similar schemes continue to proliferate, posing an ongoing threat to individuals and financial institutions. The Secret Service vows to continue developing innovative strategies to safeguard the U.S. financial system against these evolving cyber threats.”
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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