Four Sentenced in $38 Million Email Fraud Scheme

Miami federal court sentenced four individuals to prison on April 30, 2026, for their involvement in a business email compromise scheme that netted over $38 million from victims in the United States and internationally, per the Justice Department press release.

The scheme affected numerous businesses and individuals, with losses exceeding $38 million stolen through fraudulent emails that mimicked legitimate transactions. Victims spanned multiple countries, including companies in the U.S. that wired funds to accounts controlled by the defendants, according to the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Prior to sentencing, the defendants faced charges and convictions for wire fraud and money laundering under federal statutes including 18 U.S.C. § 1343 and § 1956. The new state imposes prison terms on the four, effective immediately upon sentencing, marking the conclusion of this prosecution phase in the Southern District of Florida district court.

The sentences trigger asset forfeiture proceedings, allowing the government to recover stolen funds for victim restitution under federal guidelines. Prosecutors must now file reports on recovered assets within 90 days, per standard Justice Department protocols.

This action also activates international cooperation requirements, prompting notifications to foreign law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.

The case stems from an investigation initiated in 2024, following similar BEC schemes prosecuted by the Justice Department. Federal authorities have charged over 100 defendants in related transnational fraud operations since 2020, per department records.