Sonovah Judith Hillman, Business Email Compromise, Louisiana 2023

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Business Email Compromise Scam Lands Calif. Woman in Hot Water

NEW ORLEANS – In a case that highlights the growing threat of business email compromise scams, Sonovah Judith Hillman, a 29-year-old resident of Hercules, California, was sentenced to three years of probation for her role in a scheme that targeted a Convent, Louisiana company.

On May 10, 2017, Hillman’s co-conspirators contacted one of Company A’s customers via email, pretending to be employees of the company and instructing them to remit funds owed to a new Bank of America account. The funds, totaling $92,007.85, were sent to Hillman’s account, where she engaged in a series of transactions over the next five days, transferring the money to others, withdrawing over $40,000 in cash, and spending ill-gotten money on personal items.

According to court documents, Hillman’s role in the scheme involved obtaining access without authorization to the email accounts of Company A employees through a phishing scam. Her co-conspirators then arranged to have emails in the account forwarded to a separate email account under their control. From there, they sent emails to Company A’s customers, including Company B, instructing them to remit funds to a new bank account.

Hillman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 1349. Judge Jane Triche Milazzo ordered her to pay restitution in the amount of $92,007.85 to the victim.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service in bringing the case to justice.

Hillman’s sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant against business email compromise scams, which can have devastating consequences for companies and individuals alike.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of the digital age, it’s essential that we remain proactive in protecting ourselves against these types of threats. By doing so, we can prevent further financial losses and bring those responsible to justice.