ATLANTA - Kerby Rigaud, who participated in an international business email compromise scheme, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and money laundering.
"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."
"Rigaud and his co-conspirators used cyberspace to organize a complex criminal scheme that crossed borders and defrauded numerous people right here in Georgia," said Kenneth Cronin, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office. "The United States Secret Service and our law enforcement partners will continue to place a high priority on investigating cases that take advantage of unsuspecting victims."
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: From April 2015 through April 2016, Rigaud served as a key player in an international business email compromise scam impacting victims across the U.S., including in the Northern District of Georgia. In numerous instances, victims, including those identified in the indictment as T.W., A.P., and J.L., received emails that purported to be from trusted sources, including banking representatives and closing agents. The emails directed the victims to wire money to specific bank accounts, some of which were opened in the metro-Atlanta area.
Rigaud’s co-conspirators sent the emails, and in some instances, they hacked into victim’s email accounts. In others, they "spoofed" the email addresses; that is, the co-conspirators took steps to make the email appear as if it were sent by a trusted source, when in reality, it was sent from a different account by a malicious actor.
Rigaud recruited numerous individuals who agreed to let him use their bank accounts for the purpose of receiving large wires from unwitting victims. After receiving the wires, Rigaud directed his recruits on where to send the money, including to a number of financial institutions in Asia. Investigators believe that Rigaud and his co-conspirators attempted to steal over $1 million dollars during the timeframe of the conspiracy.
Sentencing for Kerby Rigaud, 27, of Duluth, Georgia, is scheduled for June 14, 2018 at 10:00 am at before U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kamal Ghali is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail) or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
--DOJ District of Georgia