In a shocking case of online impersonation and fraud, a Florida man has been arrested for allegedly posing as tech billionaire Elon Musk and scamming an elderly woman out of nearly $600,000. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., 56, was taken into custody on Tuesday night and charged with grand theft. The victim’s husband revealed that he initially had doubts about his wife’s interactions with the imposter but only took action when he discovered that she had sent a significant amount of money to the suspect under the guise of investing in Musk’s companies.
According to reports from the Bradenton Police Department’s Elder Fraud Unit, Moynihan had been sending messages pretending to be Elon Musk since 2023. The 56-year-old businessman used Facebook as a platform to befriend the unsuspecting victim, a 74-year-old Texas resident. Detective Jim Curulla emphasized that the victim genuinely believed she had formed a friendship with Musk and communicated with him daily. Curulla stated to Fox 13, “She really thought she was friends with him.”
The elaborate scheme orchestrated by Moynihan involved convincing the victim that she could earn huge returns on an investment in Musk’s business ventures. Under this pretense, she transferred $250,000 to an account she believed belonged to Elon Musk himself. However, financial records obtained by the police revealed that these accounts were actually owned by Moynihan and his businesses.
“Investment scams are unfortunately common in today’s digital age,” said Curulla. He advised people not to trust individuals they meet online and warned against sending money or engaging in business dealings over the internet.
The total amount of money sent by the victim came to a staggering $600,000, as disclosed by her husband during the investigation. It is unclear whether any of these funds have been recovered at this time. The Bradenton Police Department became aware of the situation when authorities in Texas alerted them to the suspicious money transfers to accounts in Bradenton.
As the investigation continues, Moynihan has maintained that his girlfriend was the mastermind behind the scheme and denied any personal involvement. He is currently being held at Manatee County jail on a $250,000 bond. Meanwhile, neighbors of Moynihan expressed shock and disbelief over his alleged actions, describing him as a hardworking individual.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and highlights the importance of vigilance when interacting with strangers on social media platforms. The elderly, in particular, are vulnerable targets for scammers due to their limited knowledge of technology and susceptibility to trust others. Law enforcement agencies continue to work tirelessly to combat fraud and protect potential victims from falling prey to such schemes.