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in Money Mules / Laundering
aba.com
· 2025-12-07
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thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-07
A 73-year-old retiree in Shah Alam lost nearly RM6 million (RM5,996,586.51) after falling victim to a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated anti-financial crime officials and convinced her she was involved in money laundering, instructing her to open bank accounts and deposit her savings. The victim only discovered the fraud when her child alerted her, but by then all funds had been transferred; police emphasized that authorities never conduct financial transactions over the phone and urged the public not to disclose personal banking information or transfer money based on unsolicited calls.
info.gov.hk
· 2025-12-07
In Hong Kong during the first eight months of 2025, police reported 184 telephone scam cases targeting local tertiary students and 86 cases targeting Mainland students, resulting in approximately $32 million and $75 million in losses respectively. The government has implemented fraud prevention measures under the Theft Ordinance with penalties up to 14 years imprisonment, and is consulting with educational institutions and authorities to strengthen anti-scam awareness programs among students through seminars and enhanced promotional efforts.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-07
The CBI arrested eight individuals and identified 45 suspects during Operation HAECHI-VI, an Interpol-led international operation targeting transnational cyber-enabled financial crimes including voice phishing, romance scams, sextortion, and investment fraud. The operation, conducted in coordination with the FBI and German authorities, dismantled illegal call centers in Delhi, Amritsar, and Siliguri that targeted U.S. and German nationals, resulting in the seizure of $66,340 in cash and the blocking of 30 bank accounts.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-07
Indian youth are being trafficked to Southeast Asia and forced to conduct cryptocurrency scams—including fake investment schemes, romance scams, and phishing attacks—while stripped of passports and subjected to brutal conditions. The criminals launder illicit proceeds through cryptocurrencies like USDT and ETH via platforms such as Binance, exploiting the speed and relative anonymity of digital assets for international transfers. This ongoing crisis, active since early 2023, has prompted increased regulatory scrutiny globally and eroded trust in the crypto ecosystem, potentially deterring institutional investors and spurring stricter AML and KYC requirements.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-07
Rome Police Department warned residents about the rising sophistication of scams targeting locals, particularly seniors who have lost significant amounts to romance, investment, and elder fraud schemes. Three recent victims lost a combined $1,019,000 to scammers, while national data shows fraud losses reached $16.6 billion in 2024, up 33% from the previous year. Police advise residents to avoid sending money or personal information to strangers and to verify communications, cautioning that about half of current local fraud cases involve seniors who often don't report incidents due to embarrassment.
cornyn.senate.gov
· 2025-12-07
Senators Cornyn and Shaheen introduced the SCAM Act to counter transnational criminal organizations operating cyber scam compounds, primarily based in Southeast Asia and affiliated with China, that traffic victims and force them into committing fraud against Americans. The organizations defrauded Americans of approximately $14 billion in 2024, and the legislation proposes a comprehensive strategy including sanctions authority, an inter-agency task force, and international law enforcement cooperation to hold these criminal operations accountable.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Nigerian man, Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, was extradited from Poland to face federal charges for orchestrating an elaborate inheritance scam that defrauded over 400 elderly victims in South Florida of more than $6 million between May 2017 and December 2023. The scheme involved posing as attorneys and bank representatives who sent fake letters claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances, then demanded advance fees for delivery, taxes, and government certificates before the victims could receive the non-existent funds. Seven co-conspirators were also charged or convicted in the scheme, with two having already received sentences exceeding eight years in prison.
sun-sentinel.com
· 2025-12-07
Tochukwu Albert Nnebocha and seven co-conspirators defrauded over 400 elderly victims in South Florida of more than $6 million between May 2017 and December 2023 through an inheritance scam, posing as attorneys and bank representatives to convince victims they were rightful heirs to deceased individuals' fortunes. The defendants purchased victim lists targeting people over 65, sent fake government documents, and demanded advance fees for "delivery," "taxes," and anti-terrorism certificates, instructing victims to send money through couriers who unknowingly facilitated the scheme. Nnebocha was extradited from Poland to face up to 20
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, a 43-year-old Nigerian national, was extradited from Poland to the United States to face federal charges for allegedly operating a large-scale inheritance scam that defrauded elderly Americans over five years. The scheme involved sending personalized letters claiming victims had inherited millions from deceased relatives in Spain, then requesting fees and taxes upfront that victims never recovered. Nnebocha faces mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy charges carrying potential sentences up to 20 years, while two co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty and received sentences exceeding eight years each.
cps.gov.uk
· 2025-12-07
Five money launderers were sentenced to between three years nine months and seven years ten months imprisonment for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that defrauded 99 suspected victims of approximately £2.37 million. The criminals created fake dating profiles to manipulate victims into transferring money under false pretenses, such as business trip expenses or stolen wallets, with only 40 victims formally reporting the fraud. The convicted men laundered the stolen funds through their bank accounts, and authorities emphasize that victims should report such crimes without shame.
boston.com
· 2025-12-07
A 76-year-old Newton psychologist pleaded guilty to defrauding nearly $1 million from two victims: a psychotherapy patient whose $700,000 accident settlement he managed as trustee (which he depleted by investing $600,000 overseas after falling victim to a romance scam) and a family member from whom he borrowed $310,000 under false pretenses. Brown faced charges of wire fraud and money laundering with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
patch.com
· 2025-12-07
A 76-year-old Newton psychologist, Eric Brown, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after falling victim to an internet romance scam and misusing a patient's $700,000 trust fund. Brown fraudulently invested approximately $600,000 of the trust overseas and deceived a family member into lending him an additional $310,000, sending both sums to the scammer he believed was his online romantic partner. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-07
An 84-year-old TikTok creator named Charles Ray discovered that scammers used AI technology to create fake videos impersonating him across multiple channels, claiming he operated struggling animal rescues, churches, and farms to fraudulently sell products like dog slippers and bible bags. The FBI confirmed this constitutes criminal activity, though investigators face significant challenges tracking perpetrators overseas; investigators tested the scheme by purchasing dachshund slippers for $34.98 that arrived labeled "Made in China" despite being promoted as handmade charitable donations. The scheme represents a growing trend of AI-enabled fraud that law enforcement says is challenging to combat due to the scale, speed, and international nature of the
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, Australians lost over A$2.03 billion to scams across 494,732 reported cases, with most enabled through online or phone contact. Scammers exploit universal psychological principles—such as appeals to need/greed, authority, kindness, distraction, and social proof—that are similar to legitimate persuasion techniques used in sales and marketing. To protect yourself, evaluate whether a request has legitimate intent, who benefits, and whether you have a free, informed choice.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-07
The Boston Police Department warns that older residents are being targeted by multiple scam types, including cryptocurrency investment schemes (which caused Boston residents over $9 million in losses in 2024 alone), home improvement fraud by door-to-door contractors, imposter scams, and unwitting money mule schemes. Police advise seniors to research investments thoroughly, verify contractor credentials, be skeptical of unsolicited offers on social media and dating apps, and hang up on suspicious callers to independently verify identities before transferring money or cryptocurrency.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost his entire life savings of approximately $1.4 million to a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency romance scam after being lured by a woman on Ashley Madison who posed as a successful crypto trader on WhatsApp. Over six weeks, the victim was manipulated into transferring funds to a fraudulent investment app displaying fake profits, and the scam was only exposed when he was asked to pay an additional $400,000 in "fees" to withdraw his earnings. The case, under investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, highlights the vulnerability of individuals facing personal difficulties and the difficulty in recovering cryptocurrency funds once they enter anonymous wallets.
cubaheadlines.com
· 2025-12-07
Operation "False Haven," a coordinated ICE and Department of Justice initiative launched in 2019, identifies and revokes fraudulently obtained citizenships, particularly those concealing serious crimes during naturalization. The case of Orlando Chávez, a 43-year-old Cuban who was convicted of child abuse in 2019 but had concealed the crimes during his 2018 naturalization process, exemplifies the operation's reach—resulting in his citizenship revocation, 14-month prison sentence, and deportation proceedings. The operation has identified numerous cases involving sex offenders, human traffickers, and individuals involved in elder abuse and other serious crimes who obtained citizenship through false statements or material om
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-07
The Boston Police Department warns that older residents face multiple evolving scams, including cryptocurrency fraud (with Boston residents losing over $9 million in 2024), home improvement schemes, imposter scams (up 400% since 2020 among victims losing $10,000+), and unwitting money mule recruitment. Police advise seniors to research investments, verify contractor credentials, hang up on suspicious callers and independently confirm with known numbers, keep digital wallet keys private, and avoid transferring money for unknown parties.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-07
Delhi Police arrested two individuals, Sahil Yadav and Aryan, for defrauding victims of over Rs 47 lakh (approximately $57,000 USD) through a sophisticated online stock trading scheme orchestrated by a China-based handler named Tom. Victims were recruited via social media and subjected to fake investment opportunities and threats, with stolen funds laundered through shell entities across multiple locations using fraudulent documentation.
becu.org
· 2025-12-07
This educational article identifies the six most common financial scams in 2025, including imposter scams, online shopping scams, investment scams, job opportunity scams, carrier scams, and debt/credit scams, which are perpetrated through phone calls, texts, emails, social media, websites, and pop-ups. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scams resulted in $12.5 billion in losses in 2024, with people aged 70 and older losing significantly more money than any other age group, sometimes losing their entire life savings. The article advises consumers to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, verify the legitimacy of contacts before sharing personal information, and remain vigil
microsoft.com
· 2025-12-07
Researchers at University College London studied the "hi mum and dad" SMS scam, where fraudsters impersonate children to convince parents to send money urgently. Through collaboration with a UK mobile operator and undercover interactions with 711 scammers, the study identified 582 mule accounts and found scammers requested over £577,000 in a three-month period, primarily exploiting psychological principles of kindness, distraction, and time pressure. The research provides the first empirical analysis of this technique and recommends mitigations involving mobile operators and financial institutions.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A 71-year-old Broward County woman lost $61,530 in a romance scam after believing she was lending money to a romantic partner named "James Lee Jackson" for a construction project; the scammer was later identified as 64-year-old Kevin Crosswright from Colorado, who turned himself in to authorities. Crosswright was arrested on charges related to money laundering and investment fraud scheme, and the victim reported feeling betrayed and financially devastated by the incident.
africanews.com
· 2025-12-07
In July-August 2025, authorities across 14 African countries arrested 260 people in Operation Contender 3.0, a coordinated INTERPOL crackdown on cybercrime including romance scams and sextortion schemes. The operation identified nearly 1,500 victims, seized over 1,200 electronic devices, and estimated losses at $2.8 million, with Ghana recording the highest arrests (68 suspects, $70,000 recovered) and Côte d'Ivoire dismantling a sextortion ring affecting over 800 victims. The coordinated action highlights the growing threat of digital-enabled crimes across Africa and the critical need for
mhobserver.com
· 2025-12-07
Two Alabama residents were arrested in an undercover operation targeting impersonation scams targeting elderly victims, after attempting to collect a package containing $250,000 in bait money that an elderly man had been instructed to send via FedEx to Mountain Home. Josiah Kamal Smith, 25, and Briana Brittany Norwood, 33, were charged with criminal attempt to commit theft of property, conspiracy to commit theft of property, and financial identity fraud; Smith had been recruited as a "money mule" for $500 to pose as a deputy and collect the package, while Norwood drove him for the same amount. The arrests are part of a larger investigation that began in July
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-07
A senior lawyer in Pimpri, India lost ₹1.8 crore in a "digital arrest" scam between September 4-19, 2024, after fraudsters impersonating CBI officers falsely accused him and his wife of involvement in a money laundering case involving a forged Aadhaar card and threatened their arrest. Despite government warnings and increased awareness efforts by India's Home Ministry and Prime Minister Modi, such scams continue to proliferate, with stolen funds frequently being routed through international cybercrime networks.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A 22-year-old man from Pompano Beach was arrested after scamming an out-of-state senior citizen out of more than $20,000 in a bank fraud scheme where he impersonated a Wells Fargo representative and "investigator" to pressure the victim into withdrawing and mailing cash. The suspect, Omari Burke, was apprehended at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after posting bragging photos on social media, and investigators believe he may have targeted additional seniors using similar tactics. The victim reported the scam devastated his savings, and authorities warned the public that legitimate banks never request customers withdraw funds or share PINs with third parties.
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-07
A 24-year-old Ukrainian woman was arrested in Malta for defrauding multiple victims through AI-generated videos of Prime Minister Robert Abela promoting fake cryptocurrency investments; at least one victim lost €52,000 across multiple transactions before police conducted a controlled delivery operation using marked cash, resulting in the suspect's arrest at Żurrieq square. The court froze €63,000 in assets and remanded the accused in custody, with prosecutors citing concerns about evidence tampering, potential ties to organized crime, and flight risk due to her lack of local connections.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to two years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded at least six victims of over $2 million between 2016 and 2019. The scheme involved creating fake online dating profiles to build trust with victims, then directing them to send money or transfer funds through cryptocurrency accounts that Nwadavid controlled. Nwadavid was ordered to pay $2,724,810.41 in restitution and faces deportation upon completion of his sentence.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Shirley Waller, 43, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to 93 months in prison (78 months for fraud crimes consecutive to 15 months for firearm possession) and ordered to repay $313,711 to victims. Waller acted as a "money mule" for overseas scammers, receiving over 193 packages of cash at her home from victims of online fraud schemes, including a 71-year-old woman who lost $35,000 in a romance scam, and she also committed pandemic loan fraud ($19,235) and mortgage fraud ($196,000). The government estimates the overseas fraud ring stole over $1
coincentral.com
· 2025-12-07
Thai police dismantled the "Lungo Company" scam ring that defrauded over 870 South Koreans of $15 million using cryptocurrency, romance, and fake lottery schemes, resulting in the arrest of 25 suspects in South Korea and 9 core members in Thailand. The sophisticated operation employed multiple fraud tactics combined with complex money laundering methods including prepaid cards, casino cash-outs, and encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and WeChat to conceal stolen funds through OTC brokers in Southeast Asia.
allafrica.com
· 2025-12-07
Nigerian national Olamide Shanu was extradited from the UK and prosecuted in U.S. federal court for his role in cyber-enabled sextortion, romance scams, and wire fraud that defrauded victims of at least $2 million. Shanu and accomplices posed as women on social media to solicit sexually explicit images from male victims, then extorted money by threatening to release the images to their contacts, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency and peer-to-peer payment platforms. Shanu faces an eight-count indictment including wire fraud, extortion, and money laundering, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
citybeat.com
· 2025-12-07
Richard Opoku Agyemang, a 41-year-old Cincinnati man, pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with an online romance fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over $2 million. Agyemang managed accounts that received victims' wire transfers and check deposits as they believed they were helping romantic partners with expenses like medical bills, though the profiles were created using stolen photos and information. He faces up to 41 months in prison after being charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and related offenses in 2024.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Julio Cesar Montero Pinzon, a senior leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), and his half-sister Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzon were indicted for operating an international fraud scheme targeting American timeshare owners in Mexico for over a decade, defrauding thousands of victims. The scheme involved false promises requiring upfront payments from timeshare owners who were told they could sell or rent their properties, with the proceeds used to fund the cartel's terrorist activities and drug trafficking operations. Both defendants are Mexican nationals and remain at large; they face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, money
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A Mumbai woman, a company secretary, lost Rs 27.20 lakh over 20 days to a digital detention scam despite nationwide awareness campaigns. Scammers posing as TRAI and police officials falsely accused her of misusing her Aadhaar card, operating illegal bank accounts, and involvement in human trafficking, then coerced her into transferring money through multiple fraudulent "verification" and "inquiry" processes. The Central Cyber Police registered an FIR after she reported the scam on September 8.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
A "money mule" scheme involves criminals recruiting individuals—often young people aged 18-24—to transfer illegally obtained money through personal bank accounts, typically by posing as friends or advertising remote job opportunities. Victims of this scheme face serious consequences including account closure, credit damage, and potential criminal charges of up to 14 years imprisonment, even if they unknowingly facilitated the money laundering. The article advises people to refuse any requests to share account access or transfer unexplained funds, and to immediately report suspicious activity to their bank and police.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the "Save our Seniors" initiative resulting in the arrest of eight defendants across seven criminal complaints for defrauding over 139 senior citizens of more than $11 million total. The defendants engaged in various schemes including customer support scams, romance scams, counterfeit check fraud, and identity theft, with notable cases including Dhruv Patel (accused of defrauding at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million through pickups of stolen goods), Stephen Odiboh (received $70,000 from a romance scam victim who lost $175,000), and Christopher Hernandez (stole $
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A 78-year-old Rochester-area man lost $30,000 to a Publishers Clearing House prize scam that operated over six months, during which con artists repeatedly promised a $2.5 million prize while extracting fees under various pretenses. The article highlights that this case is representative of thousands of elder fraud crimes nationally, with federal authorities recently arresting eight people for defrauding 139 Western New York seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, imposter schemes, and identity theft. Common scams targeting seniors in the region include romance fraud, imposter scams impersonating government or businesses, and tech phishing, with scammers increasingly using AI and deep
newsdrum.in
· 2025-12-07
The Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing conducted raids across seven locations in three states targeting two alleged scams from the previous Congress administration: a coal levy scam involving illegal collection of Rs 540 crore (2020-2022) and a liquor scam generating Rs 2,161 crore in proceeds of crime. The raids seized documents, devices, and cash from associates of key accused including former minister Amarjeet Bhagat, former chief secretary Vivek Dhand, and businessman Awadhesh Yadav, with the Enforcement Directorate having already arrested 11 persons and attached Rs 220 crore in assets related to
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A Mumbai woman, a company secretary, lost Rs 27.20 lakh over 20 days to a digital detention scam despite nationwide awareness campaigns. Scammers impersonating TRAI and police officials falsely accused her of SIM card misuse, illegal banking, and money laundering, then coerced her into transferring funds through various fabricated "verification processes" and fake legal documents. The Central Cyber Police registered an FIR after she reported the fraud on September 8.
13abc.com
· 2025-12-07
Vatsal Pankajkumar Mistry was arrested and charged with money laundering conspiracy in connection with a "phantom hacker" scheme that defrauded multiple victims in Ohio and Michigan. A 76-year-old woman from Ann Arbor lost over $500,000 after being convinced to grant remote computer access for a fake refund, leading to multiple cash and gold bar drop-offs; Mistry admitted to participating in pickups for approximately $500 per package. Mistry waived his preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to a grand jury, with an ICE detainer preventing his release.
cowboystatedaily.com
· 2025-12-07
A 76-year-old man in Gillette, Wyoming was nearly victimized in a cryptocurrency ATM scam when he attempted to deposit $16,000 after being manipulated by a scammer who kept him on the phone; a bystander alerted police, preventing the loss. Cheyenne police have identified 50 BTM fraud cases totaling over $645,000 in unrecovered losses, part of a nationwide pattern where seniors lose retirement funds to overseas criminals who use emotional manipulation to direct victims to crypto kiosks. AARP is proposing new regulations for cryptocurrency machines as the FBI estimates $9.3 billion was stolen through various crypto frauds in
outlookmoney.com
· 2025-12-07
**Scam Type:** Bank fraud and money laundering by insider
**What Happened:** Hitesh Singla, a Bank of India staff officer, fraudulently closed 127 deposit accounts between May 2023 and July 2025, transferring Rs 16.10 crore ($1.9 million USD) to his personal accounts. Victims included senior citizens, deceased customers, minors, and holders of dormant accounts whose funds were routed through branch office accounts before being diverted to Singla's personal SBI account in Punjab.
**Outcome:** The Enforcement Directorate arrested Singla on September 17, 2
ksl.com
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited to the U.S. and charged with operating sextortion and romance scams that defrauded numerous victims across the country of at least $2 million. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce victims into sending explicit images, then extorted money by threatening to share the images, while also running parallel romance scams using fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money through payment apps, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. If convicted on charges including wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and cyberstalking, Shanu faces up to 20 years in
ktvb.com
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited from the United Kingdom and charged in federal court in Idaho with defrauding victims of at least $2 million through sextortion and romance scams. Shanu and co-conspirators allegedly posed as women on social media to trick male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to distribute them unless payments were made, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency and peer-to-peer payment apps. He faces eight federal charges carrying up to 20 years in prison and potential restitution to victims.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-07
A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty to money laundering as part of an online-romance scam that defrauded over $2 million from multiple victims. The scheme involved criminals using stolen photos and fake identities on dating websites to establish romantic relationships with victims, then convincing them to send money for fabricated medical expenses and other false reasons. Richard Opoku Agyemang, 41, faces up to 41 months in prison for laundering $32,000 in fraud proceeds in 2022.
wkyc.com
· 2025-12-07
Two Kent State University students, Touhedul Tuhin (24) and Iftekhar Latif Nieon (23), face federal charges for acting as "money mules" in an elder fraud operation targeting victims in New York and Ohio, collecting over $276,000 in cash directly from elderly victims who had been defrauded through tech support scams, fake government agency impersonations, and other schemes. The defendants allegedly collected money from at least five victims ranging in age from 68 to 82 years old, with individual losses between $15,000 and $40,000, using vehicles tracked by license plate readers traveling between Kent and New York on the dates of the frau
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-07
Federal prosecutors charged eight individuals in the "Save Our Seniors" initiative for defrauding 139 elderly victims of over $11 million through schemes including fake government agent impersonation, romance scams, identity theft, and counterfeit checks. The charges involve defendants from multiple states accused of targeting seniors aged 60 and older, with individual losses ranging from $70,000 to $600,000. Authorities warn seniors never to send cash, gift cards, or make peer-to-peer payments to anyone claiming to be a government official, and advise reporting suspected scams to local police or the FBI.
legit.ng
· 2025-12-07
A US federal court sentenced Nigerian national Adetomiwa Seun Akindele to nearly six years in prison for defrauding an elderly American woman of $1.6 million in a romance scam, in which he posed as a wealthy Italian-American businessman and convinced her to transfer funds through cryptocurrency accounts between January and October 2018. Akindele was ordered to repay $1,692,945 in restitution and will be deported to Nigeria after completing his sentence following guilty pleas to wire fraud and money laundering charges.
providencejournal.com
· 2025-12-07
Craig Clayton, a 75-year-old Rhode Island man, laundered $35 million from internet-romance and elderly-fraud scams between 2019 and 2021 through his fake "virtual CFO" business, Rochart Consulting, using shell companies and fraudulent bank accounts to send victim funds overseas to countries including China, Switzerland, and Thailand. Clayton pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and obstruction of justice, and was sentenced to four years in prison with $40,000 in restitution ordered. One of his shell companies, Providence Sanitizer, alone laundered at least $16.8 million from elderly victims and romance scam targets.