Florida Man Poses as Elon Musk to Dupe Elderly Woman Out of $250,000 in Elaborate Scam
A Florida man tricked a 74-year-old woman into handing over hundreds of thousands, claiming to be Elon Musk—now he faces grand theft charges. 🌐 #News #BradentonFL #Florida #Crime
BRADENTON, FL – A Florida man has been arrested for allegedly posing as billionaire Elon Musk in order to scam a 74-year-old woman out of at least $250,000. The case has drawn attention to the growing issue of elder fraud, where criminals take advantage of vulnerable individuals to make large financial gains.
How the Scam Unfolded
In 2023, the victim, a woman from Texas, began communicating with a person she believed was Elon Musk via Facebook. Over several months, the two exchanged messages, with the fraudster convincing the woman of a potential business investment. The scammer, claiming to be Musk, persuaded her to invest in his fake ventures with the promise of a $55 million return.
Believing she was corresponding with the real Musk, the woman transferred $250,000 to bank accounts connected to Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr., a 56-year-old Bradenton, Florida resident. Moynihan, who owns a business called Jeff’s Painting and Pressure Washing, LLC, was identified as the man behind the scam. The victim’s husband reported that the actual amount she gave to “Musk” was closer to $600,000.
Arrest and Legal Charges
Moynihan was arrested on Tuesday at his Bradenton home on a charge of grand theft. A video released by the Bradenton Police Department showed the moment of his arrest. According to the department, the arrest was made after the Elder Fraud Unit received a tip from Texas police, who were investigating the victim’s case.
In a statement accompanying the video, Bradenton police clarified that “the real Elon Musk was otherwise engaged with the most recent launch of SpaceX and is not under investigation by BPD.” This comment helped clear up any confusion surrounding Musk’s involvement.
The Growing Problem of Elder Fraud
This case is part of a larger issue in which elderly individuals are increasingly targeted by scams.
In 2024 alone, the Bradenton Police Department’s Elder Fraud Unit has investigated cases where victims over the age of 60 reported nearly $3 million in losses. As this type of crime continues to rise, authorities are emphasizing the importance of protecting older adults from online fraud.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Florida
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