PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A California resident has been indicted in a money laundering scam that allegedly defrauded business, individuals and the town of Bristol out of nearly $9 million, according to the office of United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Alec Tahir Baker, 60, of Corona, CA, has been indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. Baker allegedly participated in a conspiracy that sent sent phishing emails to the victims, that when opened, gave senders access to the recipients’ computer networks. Baker and his co-conspirators then allegedly directed the victims’ banks to transfer money to an account controlled by members of the conspiracy. Conspirators also allegedly emailed victims posing as a vendor seeking payment, providing them with bank account information into which funds should be transferred. Employees would then send funds to the account controlled by Baker or a co-conspirator. Baker allegedly opened 40-plus bank accounts in his name and in the name of companies he created to receive the funds. He would then withdraw the money in the form of cash and cashiers’ checks or transferred funds to cryptocurrency accounts. All told, Baker is alleged to have defrauded at least $8,854,243 and that transmitted $7,649,876 was transferred to Baker’s accounts.  In January of 2023, a member of the conspiracy allegedly gained access to Bristol’s computer network and wired $310,500 to a Baker account. Baker was arrested in Dallas, TX on November 5, 2024 and will be transported to Rhode Island on an undetermined date. Categories: News, Rhode Island