Dubai Escape: $30M Heist by Fake Heiress Exposed, FBI Seeks Justice
Mary Carole McDonnell allegedly approached banks and financial institutions, claiming she had a secret $80 million trust fund, according to the FBI.
A 72-year-old woman, Mary Carole McDonnell, is on the FBI's most-wanted list for allegedly orchestrating a massive $30 million fraud scheme in California. According to the FBI, McDonnell falsely claimed to be a member of the McDonnell Aircraft Family and had an $80 million secret trust fund.
Between July 2017 and May 2018, McDonnell allegedly used her fabricated identity to defraud several banks, including Banc of California, out of approximately $14.7 million. The total estimated loss from her scheme is over $30 million.
Born in Michigan in 1951, McDonnell worked as the CEO of Bellum Entertainment LLC and has ties to Los Angeles, California; Montgomery, Alabama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A federal arrest warrant was issued for her in 2018, charging her with Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.
McDonnell is believed to be hiding in Dubai, and the FBI is now seeking justice for her alleged crimes. Her case highlights the dangers of identity theft and the importance of verifying information to prevent such scams.
