A Florida guy who pretended to be Elon Musk deceived a 74-year-old woman into giving him hundreds of thousands of dollars; he is now being charged with grand theft.#Bradenton, Florida, #News, #Crime
Bradendon, Florida A Florida man was arrested for reportedly defrauding a 74-year-old woman of at least $250,000 by pretending to be billionaire Elon Musk. The case has brought attention to the rising problem of elder fraud, in which thieves exploit weaker people in order to profit handsomely.
How the Scam Unfolded
The victim, a Texas woman, started corresponding with someone she thought was Elon Musk on Facebook in 2023. The scammer persuaded the woman of a possible business investment during the course of several months of messaging exchanges. With the promise of a $55 million return, the con artist, posing as Musk, convinced her to invest in his fraudulent endeavors.
The woman deposited $250,000 to bank accounts linked to Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr., a 56-year-old resident of Bradenton, Florida, under the false impression that she was communicating with the genuine Musk. The scam’s perpetrator was identified as Moynihan, who operates Jeff’s Painting and Pressure Washing, LLC. According to the victim’s spouse, the real sum she provided Musk was more like $600,000.
Arrest and Legal Charges
Moynihan was charged with grand theft and taken into custody at his Bradenton residence on Tuesday. His arrest was captured on camera by the Bradenton Police Department. The agency claims that Texas police, who were looking into the victim’s case, tipped the Elder Fraud Unit, which led to the arrest.
Bradenton police explained in a statement that accompanied the video that the real Elon Musk was not being investigated by the BPD and was otherwise involved in the most recent SpaceX launch. This remark helped to dispel any misunderstandings about Musk’s role.
The Growing Problem of Elder Fraud
This episode is a part of a broader problem where scammers are increasingly targeting the elderly.
The Elder Fraud Unit of the Bradenton Police Department has looked into cases in 2024 alone where victims over 60 reported losses of around $3 million. Authorities are stressing the significance of shielding senior citizens from online fraud as this kind of crime keeps increasing.
CONNECTED TOPICS: Florida Crime
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