A California resident has admitted guilt in a federal court in Rhode Island for his involvement in a business email compromise and money laundering operation that defrauded businesses, individuals, and the Town of Bristol of nearly $9 million. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Alec Tahir Baker, 61, from Corona, California, pleaded guilty on December 9, 2025, to conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 24, 2026. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Court documents indicate that Baker took part in a scheme using phishing tactics and fake vendor emails to access victims’ computer networks. This allowed him to redirect legitimate wire transfers into bank accounts he controlled. Baker reportedly opened multiple bank accounts under his own name as well as names of fraudulent companies. He received over $7.6 million in fraudulent funds and quickly withdrew or transferred the money—including through cryptocurrency accounts—to conceal its origins.
In January 2023, Baker and others accessed the Town of Bristol’s computer network, leading to $310,500 in municipal funds being wired into an account held by Baker. He then withdrew or moved these funds into other accounts.
Assistant United States Attorneys Lee H. Vilker and Denise M. Barton are prosecuting the case.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with support from several law enforcement agencies: the Bristol Police Department; Genesee County Sheriff’s Office in New York; Baltimore County Police Department in Maryland; Hartland Police Department in Wisconsin; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
"Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced that Alec Tahir Baker pleaded guilty for his role in a wide-ranging business email compromise and money laundering scheme that defrauded companies, individuals, and the Town of Bristol out of nearly $9 million dollars."
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