Expenses have been filed in opposition to an Oklahoma girl who’s being accused of laundering almost $1.5 million in funds obtained by on-line romance scams, concentrating on aged girls.
Legal professional Normal Gentner Drummond introduced that Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested Monday, and is accused of laundering cash from out-of-state victims between Sept. 30, 2024, and Dec. 26, 2024.
Officers stated that every one the victims have been girls between the ages of 64 and 79.
The victims believed they have been sending cash to a male topic whom they thought they have been in a web based relationship with, based on a information launch from Drummond’s workplace.
Drummond famous that one girl even bought her home in order that she may ship $600,000 to the scammer.
“These types of scams that target seniors are especially egregious,” Drummond stated.
“I applaud the work of my Consumer Protection Unit to fight for these victims and to hold accountable their alleged perpetrator.”
The victims additionally despatched Apple reward playing cards, money and cashiers’ checks in addition to wired cash to accounts owned by Echohawk at MidFirst Financial institution, based on the information launch.
Drummond’s workplace was additionally alerted by the financial institution in January after it held a $120,000 switch from one of many victims, suspecting senior fraud exercise.
Echohawk was confronted in January 2024 by regulation enforcement about suspected legal exercise, Drummond’s workplace stated, however allegedly continued to launder funds after a brief hiatus.
Officers stated Echohawk is believed to have been changing the funds into cryptocurrency and sending these funds to an unidentified suspect.
Echohawk was charged with illegal use of legal proceeds and utilizing a pc to violate state statutes.
She faces 5 counts that, collectively, carry 24 to 62 years in jail and as much as $260,000 in fines.
Anybody is inspired to report suspected fraud to Legal professional Normal Gentner Drummond’s Shopper Safety Unit at 833-681-1895 or consumerprotection@oag.okay.gov.
