FBI hunts Michigan woman who fled to Dubai after $15M fraud scheme
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The FBI is searching for a Michigan-born woman who allegedly orchestrated a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme in Southern California.
Investigators wanted Mary Carole McDonnell, 73, on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with the alleged scheme that took place between July 2017 and May 2018 in Los Angeles and Orange counties, the FBI said.
“Beginning in approximately July 2017 and continuing through May 2018, McDonnell allegedly devised and participated in a scheme to knowingly and with intent to defraud obtain money, funds, assets, and property belonging to Banc of California,” the FBI said. he said.
Fugitive Mary Carole McDonnell is accused of orchestrating a wide-ranging financial fraud scheme in Southern California. (FBI)
HE HELPED NORTH KOREA INfiltrate AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES
Federal investigators say McDonnell posed as the heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and falsely claimed he would eventually gain access to a secret $80 million foundation.
He managed to get about $14.7 million from Banc of California even though he knew he wasn’t authorized and didn’t pay it back.
He used similar methods to defraud other financial institutions of more than $15 million, according to the FBI.
YOU ADAM SCHIFF UNDER FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGED MORTGAGE FRAUD VIOLATIONS
He previously served as CEO of Bellum Entertainment LLC, a production company based in Burbank, and has documented ties to Los Angeles, Montgomery, Alabama, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for McDonnell on December 12, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
A report by Deadline stated that Bellum Entertainment came under investigation by the California Labor Commission in 2017 over alleged unpaid wages for dozens of former employees.
Dubai, Burj Khalifa, United Arab Emirates, Sunset
The publication also reported that McDonnell told employees that the company was unable to meet payroll due to “significant bank fraud.”
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Investigators say they believe McDonnell is currently in Dubai and describe her as a White female, 6 feet tall, weighing 145 pounds, with blonde hair, blue eyes and a scar on her right knee.
Anyone with information on McDonnell’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate.
