In a dramatic turn of events, a Florida woman has admitted to her role in a scheme to launder millions of dollars from victims of romance scams.
Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old resident of Miramar, faced a courtroom today where she pleaded guilty to conspiring to funnel illicit funds to an overseas accomplice.
Details of the Scheme
Court documents reveal that Petitfrere used bank accounts to process funds from victims of elaborate romance scams.
These scams involve fraudsters creating false online identities to manipulate and exploit their targets emotionally and financially.
Petitfrere not only kept a slice of the stolen money as her fee but also channeled the bulk of it to her co-conspirator abroad.
She has been linked to laundering over $2.7 million and pocketing hundreds of thousands in fees.
The Impact of Romance Scams
Romance scams are notorious for their emotional and financial devastation.
Victims, often elderly individuals, suffer not just monetary loss but also severe emotional distress.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost a staggering $1.14 billion to these scams in 2023 alone.
Official Response
Brian Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, emphasized the seriousness of the crime.
“Romance scams cause not only significant losses but also profound emotional harm to countless individuals,” he stated.
“This prosecution highlights our commitment to dismantling the criminal networks that exploit vulnerable Americans.”
Sentencing and Legal Proceedings
Petitfrere is set to face sentencing in the Southern District of Florida on December 11.
She could receive up to 10 years in prison.
The final sentence will be determined by a federal judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the FBI Miami Field Office, with Trial Attorneys Matthew Robinson and Lauren M. Elfner from the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch handling the prosecution.
Support for Victims
For those aged 60 or older who have fallen victim to financial fraud, help is available.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, offers personalized support.
Call 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
The hotline provides resources and referrals to help victims report fraud and recover losses.
For additional resources, visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice and www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
Complaints about elder fraud can also be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 877-FTC-HELP.
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