Two women have been charged in years-long “romance schemes” that defrauded elderly men out of over $7 million, according to Manhattan federal prosecutors in a court filing on Saturday, June 6.
Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy allegedly defrauded at least 16 victims from 2009 until their arrest this year, as detailed in a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of New York.
The U.S. attorney’s office stated that Stanley and Guy were arrested on June 25 in North Miami Beach, Florida, and New York City, respectively.
The complaint outlines that Stanley and Guy lured their elderly victims into supposed romantic or close personal relationships through in-person meetings, phone calls, text messages, and an online dating platform.
After gaining the victims’ trust, the women persuaded them to send money under false pretenses, claiming they needed funds for fake businesses and organ transplants, prosecutors said.
Both women are facing charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, each carrying a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
“As alleged, Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy callously defrauded elderly victims who were simply looking for companionship. They allegedly used the millions of dollars in fraud proceeds to lead lives of luxury at their victims’ expense,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. “
