It seems odd some of the biggest companies in the world manage to get duped by a single person. Even in huge million dollar companies mistakes are bound to be made. Unfortunately for Facebook and Google, it cost them 100 million dollars through an email phishing scam.
A story was reported in March about a Lithuanian man being charged for an email phishing scam against two U.S. based internet companies, the names of the companies were not disclosed till now. On April 27th we received news the two companies were none other than Facebook and Google. The companies wired about $100 million to the scammer’s account.
A 48 year old man, Evaldas Rimasauskas managed to create a company in Latvia, to appear legitimate he used the same name as an Asian Computer manufacturer company. Under the name of this company, he sent out phishing emails to people at Google and Facebook. Evaldas targeted people in these companies that regularly transfer huge sums of money. Without a second thought the money was transferred as the emails were from a recognizable company.
Once he received the money from both the companies Rimasauskas, wired the cash to multiple accounts across the globe. Evaldas planned this scam to the T, he forged invoices and contracts with signatures of the victim companies.
Evaldas Rimasauskas is being charged with one count of identity theft and three counts of money laundering. Evaldas can face 20 years in prison for money laundering and a minimum of 2 years for identity theft. Joon H. Kim, U.S. attorney made a statement regarding the case, “This case should serve as a wake up call to all companies.”
