Cali Man Bilked Bristol, Others, Out Of $9M: Feds

PROVIDENCE, RI — A California scammer pleaded guilty in federal court to a $9 million money laundering scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Alec Tahir Baker, 61, of Corona, California, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to a media release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, admitting to his "role in a wide-ranging business email compromise and money laundering scheme that defrauded companies, individuals," as well as the town of Bristol, out of nearly $9 million.

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"According to court documents, Baker participated in a conspiracy that used phishing and spoofed vendor emails to gain access to victim computer networks and redirect legitimate wire transfers into bank accounts that he controlled," the release said.

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"Baker opened dozens of bank accounts in his name and in the names of fraudulent companies," according to the release. "He received more than $7.6 million of the fraudulent funds and rapidly withdrew, transferred, or layered the funds (including through cryptocurrency accounts) to disguise their origin."

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Baker also conspired to gain access to Bristol’s computer network in January 2023, according to the release, "causing $310,500 in municipal funds to be wired into an account in Baker’s name, who then withdrew the funds or transferred them into other accounts."

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Baker's sentencing was scheduled for Feb. 24.

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