(AmericanProsperity.com) – In a shocking case of elder exploitation, a Florida man has been arrested for impersonating Elon Musk and scamming an elderly woman out of $600,000.
Watch the video of the arrest down below.
Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. from Florida was arrested for posing as tech billionaire Elon Musk to defraud a 74-year-old Texas woman.
The Bradenton Police Department charged Moynihan with grand theft after he befriended the victim on Facebook and convinced her to invest in nonexistent business ventures.
The elaborate scheme involved promises of a staggering $55 million return on investment, showcasing the lengths these criminals will go to prey on vulnerable seniors.
Over several months in 2023, Moynihan spoke daily with the victim, building trust and exploiting her belief that she was actually talking to the real Elon Musk.
Investigators have traced nearly half of the stolen $600,000 to Moynihan’s bank accounts in Bradenton, Florida.
The scammer even went as far as using Musk’s actual social media posts to boost his false identity.
The scam only came to light after the victim’s family reported it to the Frisco Police Department in Texas.
While Moynihan is currently the only person charged, police believe others are involved in this vicious scheme.
The investigation is ongoing to trace the rest of the victim’s money and bring all responsible parties to justice.
This collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies in Frisco, Texas and Bradenton, Florida, shows a united front against cyber criminals who target America’s most vulnerable citizens.
It is worth noting that the real Elon Musk was not involved in this fraud and was busy with SpaceX activities during the time of the scam.
However, this incident is part of a disturbing global trend where Musk’s identity is being exploited for various scams, including AI deepfake videos and social media impersonations.
BPD's Elder Fraud Unit arrested “Elon Musk” on Wednesday for grand theft. Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr., 56, is accused of impersonating @elonmusk to defraud an elderly woman out of $250K – although the actual sum could be much higher. Read more: https://t.co/RgsLlrpEjc pic.twitter.com/vAmdY2S6U6
— Bradenton Police Department (@BradentonPD) November 21, 2024
Copyright 2024, AmericanProsperity.com
