Jeffrey Moynihan, 56, was taken into police custody in Florida on charges of grand theft.
A Texas woman was tricked into sending $250,000 to a Florida man who deceived her by posing as Elon Musk on a fraudulent Facebook profile, Business Insider reported.
Residents of Florida were shocked upon learning that a local man, Jeffrey Moynihan, misrepresented himself as billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk to scam a Texas woman out of a substantial sum of money. The scam, conducted via Facebook, involved promises of hefty investment returns.
The 74-year-old Texas woman began communicating with Moynihan's fake Musk persona in 2023, which ultimately led her to invest $600,000, including $250,000 cited in the charges.
Subsequently, Moynihan convinced her to trust in non-existent opportunities, assuring her that the funds were safe and would grow.
Moynihan's arrest on November 19, 2024, coincided with SpaceX’s Starship test flight. While Musk, in contrast, celebrated a significant space milestone, Moynihan was questioned by police at his Florida residence. Furthermore, body camera footage captured his confusion over the arrest.
Moynihan's bewildered response to the police was caught on tape, with him asking, "Grand theft of what?"
Jeffrey Moynihan used a fake Facebook profile impersonating Elon Musk to scam a senior citizen, gaining her trust and securing significant financial investments in fraudulent opportunities.
There is no information on whether Jeffrey Moynihan has secured legal representation. However, the victim, financially and emotionally devastated, has her family's support, although they have not made public statements.
Meanwhile, Moynihan faces grand theft charges for using Elon Musk’s identity to commit fraud, thereby highlighting the risks of online transactions. Experts, therefore, urge caution and advise users to scrutinize social media investment opportunities.
Additionally, the case sheds light on scams targeting the elderly, a particularly vulnerable group. As a result, authorities hope it raises awareness and encourages individuals to report suspicious activities.
Ultimately, Moynihan will soon face legal proceedings for deceiving a senior citizen. This case, in turn, underscores the need for vigilance in online interactions and the severe consequences of digital fraud.
