‘Money is gone:’ West Michigan resident loses $400K in scheme targeting senior citizens
Two people were sentenced to prison on Thursday, May 16, in a multi-million international scheme targeting seniors, including in Michigan. (MLive File Photo)Daniel Shular | MLive.com
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Two people were sentenced to prison in a multi-million dollar international scheme that targeted senior citizens.
A West Michigan resident lost nearly $400,000.
“This is one of the most reprehensible fraud schemes I have seen,” U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering in Grand Rapids said May 16.
“This wasn’t just a theft of money. It was a theft of dignity, and a theft of security. This was a heinous crime that devastated people who worked hard their whole lives, and now their money is gone.”
Jmyla Elaine Sha’Taria White, 29, of Thonotosassa, Florida, was sentenced eight years, one month in federal prison, and ordered to pay $3,224,549 in restitution. McKhaela Katelynn McNamara, 28, of Flint, was sentenced to four years, three months in federal prison and ordered to pay $693,073 in restitution.
They are among seven charged last year with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
“Our seniors are being targeted by financial scammers at an alarming rate,” U.S. Mark Attorney Totten said in a statement.
Federal prosecutors said victims would receive warning messages on computers that a virus had infected their devices. Victims were told to call a number for help. The callers believed that they had reached a tech company, such as Apple or Microsoft, but they actually were talking to scammers in India.
The schemers used a variety of tactics to scare victims into giving them money.
Among them: Victims were told their bank accounts were compromised and they needed to withdraw all of their money and give it to federal agents for safekeeping. The agents were fake.
In another, victims were told they needed to pay for technical support after their computers were infected by a virus. Other were told they were identified in a criminal investigation and had to pay to clear their names.
Prosecutors said White and McNamara personally collected money from the victims. It was sent to those higher up in the conspiracy.
A West Michigan resident lost $398,000, prosecutors said.
“The defendants participated in an elaborate fraud conspiracy that targeted mostly elderly victims, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars,” Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, said in a statement.
Those who believe they have been victimized can file a report at ic3.gov or contact the FBI at 313-965-2323.
This case was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans and Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan.
For more information on preventing elder fraud and help for victims, visit the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website at www.justice.gov/elderjustice, which includes a list of Michigan-specific resources. The FBI Elder Fraud website also provides several resources, including the following tips to help seniors protect themselves:
- Recognize scam attempts and end all communication with the perpetrator.
- Search online for the contact information (name, email, phone number, addresses) and the proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about individuals and businesses trying to run scams.
- Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action. Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one.
- Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, text messages, mailings, and door-to-door services offers.
- Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses.
- • Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date. Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls.
- Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked screen. Pop-ups are regularly used by perpetrators to spread malicious software. Enable pop-up blockers to avoid accidentally clicking on a pop-up.
- Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.
- Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts, and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). The Federal Trade Commission also provides a hotline at 877-FTC-HELP or www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov for consumer complaints.
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