Two women have been charged with running "romance schemes" for years, defrauding elderly men out of over $7 million, according to federal prosecutors in Manhattan.
Two Women Allegedly Defrauded 16 Victims
Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy supposedly deceived at least 16 casualties in a scheme that began in 2009 and continued until their current arrests, declared the criminal accusation filed in the Southern District of New York.
According to the U.S. attorney's office, both women were detained on June 25, with Stanley being arrested in North Miami Beach, Florida, and Guy in New York City.
The complaint details that Stanley and Guy established fake romantic or close personal relationships with their elderly victims through in-person meetings, phone calls, text messages, and an online dating platform. Once they acquired their casualties' trust, they persuaded them to send money under pretenses, claiming they needed funds for fictitious businesses and organ transplants.
Prosecutors have accused both women of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy heartlessly deceived elderly victims seeking companionship.
Allegedly, they used the millions from their fraud to live luxurious lives at the expense of their victims. Today's arrests demonstrate that those who commit romance scams will be held accountable.
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Stanley Defrauds $555,000 for Personal Expenses
In one instance, Stanley allegedly convinced an elderly man that they were in a romantic relationship. She frequently asked for money for rent and living expenses, which the casualty gave.
Eventually, the victim provided Stanley with access to his credit card, which she used to accumulate thousands of dollars in charges. Stanley also convinced him to wire her funds for a purported catering business, using $220,000 to pay off loans for her boat and luxury car. This victim was defrauded out of approximately $555,000.
In another case, Stanley reportedly swindled a victim out of about $1,000,000 by pretending to be a psychic who claimed his money was "tainted with bad influences."
She promised to "clean" the money and return it if he wired it to her. Over time, Stanley convinced the victim to send more money, assuring him she would help him attain his "desired life."
Prosecutors allege that Guy defrauded four elderly men out of at least $908,000, claiming she needed money for medical procedures, including kidney transplants.
Instead, she spent the money on personal expenses such as luxury items, meals, and rent. She also convinced one victim to send her $708,000, claiming she would help him transfer his money to a bank with higher interest rates.
Together, Stanley and Guy convinced another victim to lend them money for a dressmaking business in New York City, prosecutors said.
James Smith, FBI assistant director in charge, stated, "Gina Guy and Rosanna Lisa Stanley allegedly exploited innocent individuals seeking companionship for their benefit, amassing millions from their victims to fund their luxurious lifestyles."
It is unclear if Stanley and Guy have legal representation. Attempts to reach the court for this information were unsuccessful outside of normal business hours.
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