A Texas woman scammed unsuspecting and trusting victims out of a total of about $2.6 million through an organised internet-based ‘romance scams’.
Dominique Golden, 31, of Houston, personally collected nearly $1.3 million in cash, checks, money orders, and wire transfers from people across the US. All the money was deposited into bank accounts opened under the names of fake people and businesses that she controlled, according to United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Golden used the money to buy two luxury cars – a 2018 Bentley Bentayga and a 2017 Mercedes E-Class— and three Rolex watches.
She pleaded guilty on Thursday and agreed to forfeit those prized possessions along with a 16-inch golden chain and 24-inch golden chain.
Her alleged accomplices used to contact victims through the internet and app-based communication platforms. They used to cultivate the relationships, and convinced the victims that they needed money, prosecutors said.
Golden was aware that other members of the conspiracy contacted the victims for the sole purpose of perpetrating the scam.
Golden pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced in December.
Under the plea agreement, Golden will forfeit assets derived from her criminal conduct, including two luxury cars, three handguns, three Rolex watches, and a 24-inch (61-centimetre) gold chain, prosecutors said.
She also was required to give up more than $11,000 from her Houston home and tucked in the Bentley.
In exchange, prosecutors said they would recommend a sentence at the low end of sentencing guidelines.
For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
Click Here For The Original Story
Recently, SEC Chair Gary Gensler issued fresh warnings about cryptocurrencies amid Bitcoin's surge to a…
Pay Dirt is Slate’s money advice column. Have a question? Send it to Athena here. (It’s anonymous!) Dear…
By Virma Simonette & Kelly Ngin Manila and Singapore14 March 2024Image source, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime…
Technology has disrupted many aspects of traditional life. When you are sitting at dinner and…
Reports of suicides, missing bodies, sexual kompromat and emptied bank accounts as fake sangomas con…
A South African woman has been left with her head in her hands after she…