ATLANTA — A 27-year-old Georgia man has admitted to orchestrating a brutal digital heist that exploited trust, technology, and greed. Kerby Rigaud of Duluth pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and money laundering in connection with a sprawling international business email compromise (BEC) scheme that targeted victims across the U.S., including multiple victims in the Northern District of Georgia.
Between April 2015 and April 2016, Rigaud became a central figure in a cyber-enabled fraud operation that siphoned funds from unsuspecting individuals through manipulated email correspondence. Victims — including those identified as T.W., A.P., and J.L. — were tricked into wiring money to accounts under Rigaud’s control after receiving emails that appeared to come from trusted sources like bank officials and real estate closing agents. The deception was seamless, the damage immediate.
The scam relied on either hacking into email accounts or spoofing legitimate addresses to mimic trusted senders. Rigaud didn’t send the emails himself but coordinated with co-conspirators who did. He then recruited a network of individuals willing to lend their bank accounts to receive the stolen funds. Once the wire transfers landed, Rigaud directed the rapid movement of cash — often funneling it overseas to financial institutions in Asia, complicating recovery efforts.
Investigators estimate Rigaud and his network attempted to steal over $1 million during the 12-month conspiracy. The funds were rerouted with military precision, exploiting weaknesses in digital communication and financial systems. The scheme preyed on everyday transactions — home closings, business deals, personal transfers — turning routine financial acts into traps.
“Business email compromise scams continue to inflict serious harm on our citizens and businesses,” said 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, emphasized the cross-border sophistication of the fraud, vowing ongoing crackdowns on such digital predation.
Sentencing for Kerby Rigaud is scheduled for June 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kamal Ghali. For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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