A Florida man impersonated Musk to commit fraud, with victims losing over $250,000
ChainCatcher news reports that, according to the U.S. police, a Florida man impersonated billionaire Elon Musk on Facebook and scammed over $250,000 from an elderly woman.
Earlier this week, police arrested 56-year-old Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. on charges of grand theft. The Bradenton Police Department stated that financial records show the victim, a woman from Texas, sent at least $250,000 to Moynihan's company in Florida. The victim's husband further told police that she had sent a total of "about $600,000" to Moynihan.
Bradenton police said they arrested Moynihan at his home on November 19, noting that the real Elon Musk was likely busy with the sixth SpaceX Starship test flight that day.
Police stated that the 74-year-old victim became friends on Facebook with an account named "Elon Musk" in 2023. The woman communicated with the fake account for "months," during which the impersonator encouraged her to invest in his business.
The "fake Musk" promised the woman a $55 million return on her investment. However, police indicated that the money went directly into Moynihan and his company "Jeff's Painting and Pressure Washing, LLC" bank accounts.
In body camera footage released by the police, Moynihan questioned why they had issued an arrest warrant when he was taken into custody. He asked in the video, "Grand theft? What did I steal?" It is currently unclear whether Moynihan has hired a lawyer. The Bradenton Police Department has not yet commented on this matter.
