ATLANTA, GA – Kerby Rigaud, 27, of Duluth, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and money laundering, admitting his role in a sophisticated international business email compromise (BEC) scam that attempted to steal over $1 million from victims across the United States. The scheme preyed on individuals and businesses, manipulating them into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts.
According to federal prosecutors, Rigaud acted as a key facilitator from April 2015 through April 2016. While his co-conspirators crafted and deployed the deceptive emails, Rigaud focused on the money flow. Victims, identified in court documents as T.W., A.P., and J.L., received emails convincingly disguised as legitimate communications from banks and closing agents, directing them to wire funds to accounts controlled by the criminal enterprise.
The scam wasn’t simply about sending bogus emails. Rigaud’s crew actively hacked into victim’s email accounts in some cases. In others, they utilized “spoofing” techniques, expertly altering email headers to make it *appear* as if the message originated from a trusted source. This level of deception allowed them to bypass security measures and trick victims into believing the requests were genuine. Rigaud then recruited individuals to allow their bank accounts to be used as temporary holding places for the stolen funds.
Once the money landed in these accounts, Rigaud directed his recruits to quickly transfer the ill-gotten gains to financial institutions in Asia, effectively laundering the funds and obscuring the trail. The U.S. Secret Service, leading the investigation, believes the conspiracy aimed to steal in excess of $1 million. The agency emphasized the growing threat of these types of scams, which exploit vulnerabilities in online communication and financial systems.
“Business email compromise scams continue to inflict serious harm on our citizens and businesses,” stated U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “We urge everyone to carefully scrutinize any emails they receive directing the transfer of money via wire. We will continue to pursue justice for the victims of this pernicious financial threat.” Kenneth Cronin, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Atlanta Field Office, added, “Rigaud and his co-conspirators used cyberspace to organize a complex criminal scheme that crossed borders and defrauded numerous people right here in Georgia.”
Rigaud’s sentencing is scheduled for June 14, 2018, at 10:00 am before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kamal Ghali is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Secret Service continues to prioritize investigations into these increasingly prevalent and damaging cybercrimes, working alongside other law enforcement agencies to protect individuals and businesses from financial ruin.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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