A Miramar lady enters a guilty plea to money laundering from elderly victims of romance scams

FLORIDA: A woman entered a guilty plea today to a scheme to transfer millions of dollars from victims of fraud in the United States to a foreign co-conspirator. Cristine Petitfrere, 30, of Miramar, allegedly utilized bank accounts to receive money from romance scams. Petitfrere pocketed a percentage of the money she received from the scam victims as a fee and sent the rest to her co-conspirator in another country. 

In addition to earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees, Petitfrere laundered approximately $2.7 million. In romance scams, con artists fabricate false online personas in an attempt to win victims’ affection and confidence before taking advantage of them financially. These schemes have a profound effect on the victims’ life in addition to causing large financial losses.

Romance scams

Data from the Federal Trade Commission indicates that in 2023, romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, who oversees the Justice Department’s Civil Division, stated that “romance scams cause not only significant losses but also profound emotional harm to countless individuals.”

“The department’s efforts to dismantle the criminal networks that engage in these sophisticated financial schemes to exploit vulnerable Americans are highlighted by this prosecution.” On December 11, Petitfrere is expected to be sentenced in the Southern District of Florida.

She might spend up to ten years behind bars. The United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory considerations will be taken into account by a federal district court judge before determining any punishment.

Financial losses from fault

The matter was looked into by the FBI Miami Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by trial attorneys Matthew Robinson and Lauren M. Elfner of the Consumer Protection Branch of the Civil Division.

The Office for Victims of Crime, which oversees this Justice Department hotline, can offer callers individualized support by determining the victim’s needs and pertinent next steps. On a case-by-case basis, case managers will locate suitable reporting agencies, give callers information to help them report, put them in direct contact with suitable agencies, and offer resources and referrals.

The first action is to report. Reporting certain financial losses resulting from fraud as soon as feasible might enhance the possibility of recovering losses. Reporting can assist authorities in identifying those who conduct fraud.