Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy have been charged with defrauding at least 16 elderly men out of more than $7 million in a yearslong “romance scheme.” The women allegedly lured their victims into romantic relationships, then convinced them to send money for fake business ventures and medical needs. They have been arrested and are facing charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, each of which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
One victim allegedly gave Stanley access to his credit card, leading her to rack up charges and requesting funds for a catering business. Another victim was told by Stanley that his money was tainted and needed to be wired to her for cleansing. Guy defrauded four victims by claiming she needed money for medical procedures, but then used the funds for personal expenses.
The FBI assistant director in charge, James Smith, stated that the women exploited innocent individuals seeking companionship and gained millions of dollars to fund luxury purchases. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized that perpetrators of romance scams will be held accountable for their crimes.
Legal representation for Stanley and Guy was not immediately clear, as attempts to reach the court to determine if they were represented were unsuccessful outside of normal business hours. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to financial exploitation in romance scams.
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