Facebook and Google came forward to confirm that it was them who fell victim to a phishing scheme. The two companies were scammed out of $100 million by a scammer in Lithuania.
Google and Facebook confirmed as victims in $100 million phishing scam pic.twitter.com/vBsR6mLmms
— FoneArena Mobile (@FoneArena) April 29, 2017
BEC and #phishing scams are a dime a dozen. This long con though is impressive. $100 million impressive. March 31, 2017
Evaldas Rimasauskas, 48, posed as an Asian contractor in order to trick executives at Google and Facebook into wiring him over $100 million between 2013 and 2015.
Rimasauskas posed as a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer. The company’s clients do include Google and Facebook. During the duration of the scam, Rimasauskas forged email addresses, corporate stamps and invoices. By their time the two tech giants found out what was happening, the thief already had millions of their money in bank accounts across Easter Europe.
The accused thief is now facing extradition proceedings in Lithuania. Rimasauskas and his lawyer denounced the charges, as well as the investigation being led by the United States.
Rimasauskas’ lawyer, Linas Kuprusevicius, said Rimasauskas will get an impartial trial in the USA and he cannot expect to receive a fair trial. The attorney noted the behavior of the FBI agents that interrogated Rimasauskas.
As of now, it’s not clear when extradition proceedings will be completed and when Rimasauskas would be sent to the United States, if Lithuania approves the extradition.
