California Man Indicted for Business Email Compromise Scam that Defrauded Millions of Dollars
A federal grand jury has indicted Alec Tahir Baker for participating in a conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud and identity theft. Photo credit: LinkedIn.
One of the targets of the conspiracy was the town of Bristol, R.I., say prosecutors. Other targets included businesses and individuals.
Baker was arrested on November 5, 2024, four days after the investigation started.
Baker graduated from Louisiana State University and previously served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense, according to his LinkedIn account.
Phishing Emails
Prosecutors say the fraud ring sent emails to individuals, corporations and the town of Bristol that, upon opening, allowed the senders to access the recipients’ computer network. After gaining access, Baker allegedly directed the victims’ banks to transfer money to an account controlled by Baker and other conspirators, according to the indictment.
Court documents also state that the conspirators would send emails to the victim companies’ employees by pretending to be a vendor seeking payment. They would then provide the employee with the new bank account information to transfer the funds, which led to employees sending company funds to bank accounts controlled by Baker and his co-conspirators.
False Information and Documents
Baker then provided false information and documents to banks after being asked for further details about the funds deposited into his accounts, claiming that he had a business relationship with a victim company.
During the conspiracy, Baker opened more than 40 bank accounts. This enabled him to defraud individuals and businesses of $8,854,243, of which $7,649,876 was transferred to bank accounts in Baker’s name.
Further, on Jan. 18, 2023, a conspiracy member allegedly gained access to the computer network operated by the town of Bristol, R.I. One day later, $310,500 was reportedly wired from the bank account operated by the town into Baker’s account.
Baker withdrew $75,000 from the account with the note “Q1 salary” on Jan. 20, 2023. Three days later, he withdrew an additional $144,700 from the same account. On Jan. 31, 2023, he withdrew another $89,169.87 and put it in a cashier’s check, according to the indictment.
$250k Still Missing
While the investigation is ongoing, the town of Bristol managed to get part of its money back, but according to ABC 6, the vast majority – $250,000 – is still missing.
In a statement published by ABC6, Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente said, “The town is pursuing remedies, including restitution, in the ongoing criminal case. Potential civil action against the banking institution and others will help to recover the remaining funds.”
Business Email Compromise Scandal
This case is another example of a so-called business email compromise (BEC) scam. Between 2013 and 2015, the world was shocked by the information that Facebook and Google were scammed out of more than $120 million by scammers impersonating hardware suppliers, according to CNBC reporting.
In October, a Nigerian national was sent to an American prison for seven years for a BEC in which he stole $2 million from Appalachian State University, as previously covered by The Daily Muck.
More From This Author
DOC Employees Let Man Who Was Having A Neurological Crises Die Over Two Long Days Without Providing Him Treatment
Report Strahinja Nikolić | Jan 30, 2025
Feds: Louisiana Keeps People Incarcerated Past Their Prison Sentences
Report Strahinja Nikolić | Jan 30, 2025
Weekly Muck
Join the mission and subscribe to our newsletter. In exchange, we promise to fight for justice.
Weekly
Muck
Join the mission and subscribe to our newsletter. In exchange, we promise to fight for justice.
